Rising Antisemitism in the UK: Community Concerns and Government Responses

British Jews are increasingly expressing concerns about their safety and the visibility of their religious identity in public spaces. Community leaders report a heightened sense of vulnerability following a series of arson attacks targeting Jewish sites, including two synagogues in London and a building associated with the charity Jewish Futures. Additionally, four Jewish community ambulances were set ablaze in north London on March 23, 2026. This surge in violence has led parents to reconsider their children's safety, with many opting to pick them up from stations rather than allowing them to travel independently. Rabbi Charley Baginsky, co-chair of Progressive Judaism, noted the drastic changes in daily life, stating that she now prevents her children from wearing clothing with Hebrew lettering in public.

The Guardian

The Institute for Jewish Policy Research (JPR) reported that 742 individuals emigrated from the UK to Israel in 2025, marking the highest annual total in over 40 years. However, JPR's executive director, Dr. Jonathan Boyd, clarified that this does not signify an "exodus." Instead, he emphasized that the rise in migration reflects a growing reassessment among British Jews regarding their future in the UK, particularly in light of increased antisemitism following the Hamas attacks on Israel in October 2023. The Community Security Trust (CST) documented a significant rise in antisemitic incidents, with 3,700 reported in 2025, including a deadly attack on the Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester that resulted in two fatalities.

The Guardian

In response to the escalating violence, Downing Street has condemned the attacks and pledged to enhance security measures for the Jewish community. A spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer affirmed the government's commitment to providing record levels of protective security funding and taking decisive actions against extremism and antisemitism. However, community members like Raphi Bloom, from the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester, expressed frustration over the slow pace of governmental action, stating, “We feel under siege... the action has been far too slow in coming.”

The Guardian

Rabbi Baginsky highlighted that the issue of rising antisemitism transcends the Jewish community, framing it as a broader societal problem. She urged for a more comprehensive dialogue about safety for all places of worship and faith communities. Meanwhile, Dave Rich, director of policy at CST, acknowledged the substantial police response to recent incidents but noted that many in the Jewish community feel that the government's efforts have lagged behind the urgency of the situation.

The Guardian

• “Suddenly you look back and realise how much our lives have changed,” — Rabbi Charley Baginsky, Co-chair of Progressive Judaism

The Guardian

• “We feel under siege. We feel that the government has engaged in some very warm words, but the action has been far too slow in coming,” — Raphi Bloom, Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester

The Guardian

• “[The prime minister] stands with the Jewish community, and he’s determined to do more to give them the security they deserve, and that is why we’re providing record levels of protective security funding as well as decisive steps to counter extremism and root out antisemitism across public life,” — Keir Starmer's Official Spokesperson

The Guardian

The situation remains dynamic, with ongoing discussions about the safety and security of Jewish communities in the UK amid rising antisemitism.

The Guardian