Antisemitism Today & How To Be An Ally To Jews
AntisemitismHostility to or prejudice against Jews as individuals or as a collective. has been rising at an alarming rate in the UK in recent years. We know this because an organisation called the CST (Community Security Trust) records all antisemitic incidents in the UK. The CST is a Jewish organisation that works to protect the community from antisemitismHostility to or prejudice against Jews as individuals or as a collective..
Alarmingly, the most recent report showed an increase in Jewish children being targeted – 15% of victims of antisemitic assaults, abusive behaviour, and threats are under the age of 18. 20% of the perpetrators of these incidents were also under the age of 18.
AUDIO : “A couple of years ago when I was about 12, I was in a local park with some friends. A group of teenagers who were a few years older than us approached us. They started making antisemitic remarks, including offering us pork, saying ‘Heil Hitler’, and they even made the Nazi salute. I was punched and terrorised.
Eventually the teenagers left us alone, but it was a very scary experience, and afterwards I felt angry. I think it’s terrible that antisemitism still exists in today’s world. I think it’s caused by a lack of understanding and even ignorance, and something desperately needs to be done to put a stop to it.”
– Naftali (16), London
“Years of anti-Jewish hate have left a lasting legacy, and what we consider ‘normal’ today would have been an alarm call just a few years ago. The growing involvement of younger people in antisemitism shows us what the future may hold if we do not address this problem urgently, consistently and with a lasting commitment for action.”
On October 7, 2023, the single biggest attack on Jews since the Holocaust happened. A huge number of terrorists illegally crossed the border into Israel and murdered over 1,200 men, women, the elderly, children, and babies in their homes and a further 240 were taken hostage. This led to a war, to prevent any further terror attacks and get the hostages back.
This terrible situation was met around the world with mass protests against the existence of the world’s only (tiny) Jewish state. There has been much antisemitism and many people openly supporting the terrorist groups that carried out that attack. Since that date, the number of antisemitic incidents in the UK has risen by over 500% (and nearly 1,200% in London alone).
The first half of 2024 was the worst six-month period for antisemitism on record in the UK (according to statistics from the Community Security Trust).
Islamist (extremist Islamic) antisemitism is relatively new. It is inspired by European antisemitic ideas and conspiracy theories. However, Islamist terrorism is not just a threat to Jews, but to non-Muslims generally and even to some Muslim groups.
Almost a quarter of British Jewish children have experienced antisemitism in or around school (according to a JPR survey, 2024).
Many British Jews (as well as Jews around the world) feel very vulnerable and afraid when there are people publicly expressing hate. It can be scary and lonely to be part of a minority group (just 0.5% of the population) which is being targeted by hate crimes.
If there is antisemitism in your school, town, or elsewhere, your Jewish friend may be affected a lot by it. Problems in Israel may seem far away, but most British Jews have friends and family living there who are deeply impacted by what happens there.
Let them know that you’re thinking about them. Ask them if there’s anything you can do to help. Friendship and kindness can mean a lot to someone Jewish when life is difficult.
One of the best ways to support them is to help fight antisemitism. This course was designed to help give you a foundation in understanding more about who Jews are, what Jewish people believe and do, and why Jews have a connection to the land of Israel. It is impossible to fight antisemitism – the hatred of Jews – without understanding elements of Jewish identity, so we created this course to help you understand the Jewish people. Hopefully now you will feel better equipped to be a true ally to Jews when they face antisemitism, discrimination, and harassment.
Continue to educate yourself and others about Jewish life. Have a look at our ‘Further resources‘ page, visit a synagogueJewish communal building where people gather to pray, learn and celebrate. (From Greek – meaning place of gathering)., or ask Jewish people about how they celebrate the festivals, or what is important to them about their Jewish culture and heritage.
Participate in Holocaust Memorial Day and Holocaust Awareness Week at your school. Invite a Holocaust survivor to come talk to your class. Organisations like the Holocaust Educational Trust (and many others we can recommend!) have programmes to further your education. You could become a Holocaust Ambassador and help promote Holocaust awareness in your school and community.
Speak out against antisemitism on social media. Social media platforms are full of anti-Jewish hate. Openly Jewish users are often bullied and harassed, making life online unbearable for many. Seeing friends and allies posting in support makes a difference.
Challenge stereotypes and tropes. Sometimes people believe antisemitic tropes and conspiracy theories due to ignorance (lack of education). The more people who can point out how harmful these tropes can be, the better. Antisemitic and other racist conspiracies are harmful to the whole of society. Helping people get better educated about different types of people and their ways of life will help improve community cohesion (how people from different communities get on) and make the world a better place to live in.
