Antisemitic Assaults Surge 82% in Britain as Anti-Jewish Hatred Remains Near Record Levels

Nearly 2,000 antisemitic incidents were recorded during the first half of 2026, including sharp increases in physical attacks, school-related incidents, and threats against synagogues.

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief

LONDON (Worthy News) – Antisemitic incidents across the United Kingdom remained near record levels during the first six months of 2026, with physical assaults against Jewish people rising by 82%, according to a new report from the Community Security Trust.

CST recorded 1,926 antisemitic incidents between January and June, a 21% increase over the 1,598 incidents reported during the same period in 2025. It was the second-highest first-half total since the organization began keeping records, surpassed only by the 2,019 incidents recorded in 2024.

The figures reflect a troubling new reality for Britain’s Jewish community. CST recorded an average of 321 incidents per month—nearly double the monthly average reported during the six months preceding Hamas’ October 7, 2023, terrorist attack against Israel.

“For British Jews, antisemitism is no longer an occasional eruption tied to a single crisis,” the data indicates. “It has become an entrenched and persistent threat.”

Violence Against Jews Rises Sharply

The most alarming increase came in physical violence. CST recorded 135 antisemitic assaults during the first half of the year, compared with 74 during the same period in 2025. Including one attack classified as extreme violence, physical attacks accounted for 7% of all recorded incidents.

The most serious case occurred on April 29, when two visibly Jewish men were stabbed in London’s Golders Green neighborhood. Police formally declared the attack a terrorist incident.

CST recorded 71 antisemitic incidents over the three days beginning with the stabbing, including face-to-face abuse against Jewish people who had gathered to show solidarity with the victims.

A series of arson attacks also targeted Jewish institutions and property. Four ambulances operated by Hatzola, a Jewish volunteer emergency service, were set on fire in March. Other attacks targeted synagogues and Jewish organizations throughout London.

An Iran-linked organization claimed responsibility for several of the attacks. The British government later designated both the group and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps under the National Security Act.

Jewish Children and Synagogues Targeted

Antisemitic incidents affecting schools, pupils, and staff rose 59% to a record 178 cases. Twenty-one of those incidents involved physical assault.

CST also documented 117 incidents involving synagogues, their congregants, or people traveling to and from prayer services—a 31% increase and the highest first-half total ever recorded.

Online antisemitism also reached a record high for the period, with 680 incidents reported. CST cautioned that the true volume is considerably greater because it does not routinely search the internet for hateful content and records only incidents reported by victims, witnesses, or third parties.

More than 40% of all documented incidents referenced Israel, Hamas’ October 7 massacre, the Palestinian territories, or the wars that followed. CST stressed that criticism of Israel was not counted unless the incident also involved anti-Jewish language, motivation, or targeting.

The numbers offer another sobering reminder that hatred of Israel can quickly cross the line into hatred of Jewish people wherever they live. Antisemitism rarely remains confined to slogans. Left unchallenged, it moves from rhetoric to intimidation—and from intimidation to violence.

CST Chief Executive Mark Gardner warned that the attacks should concern everyone who cares about Britain, whether the threat comes from Iran, Islamist extremism, the far right, the far left, or other ideological movements.

The British government has announced £250 million in additional funding over three years to strengthen security at Jewish schools, synagogues, and community centers.

Lift this up in Prayer

9

people are currently praying.

Latest Worthy News