British Jews on high alert amid heightened tension in Jerusalem

The UK’s Jewish community is on high security alert amid heightened tensions in Jerusalem.

Writing to Jewish organisations this week, the Community Security Trust said it has “taken reports of a small number of antisemitic incidents that appear to be related to the situation” in Israel and urged caution over the coming days.

This comes after hundreds of Palestinian demonstrators were injured and numerous Israeli police were hospitalised in violent clashes in Jerusalem this week.

Citing numerous demonstrations across the UK over the weekend against the clashes in Jerusalem, the CST said it is concerned about “increased anger and tension amongst UK anti-Israel groups and activists may in turn lead to a heightened risk of antisemitic activity directed at the UK Jewish community”.

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Outlining there is no “specific intelligence” about any planned activities, the CST said its concern is a “general assessment including past experience in which antisemitic incidents tend to increase during periods of heightened tension in Israel”.

It urged communal organisations to follow security advice, including locking gates, reporting anyone conducting “hostile reconnaissance” near communal buildings, and challenging suspicious individuals when needed.

CST also urged shuls, schools and other groups to call 999 in an emergency, and then CST’s number 0800 032 3263.