Britain saw almost 2,000 anti-Semitic incidents in the first half of 2024, a record number for the first six months of any year, a Jewish advisory body said on Thursday.
The Community Security Trust (CST), which advises Britain’s estimated 280,000 Jews on security issues, said more than half of the incidents recorded involved Israel, Gaza, Hamas or the current conflict in the region.
“The disgraceful rise in British anti-Semitism is further evidenced by these latest figures,” said CST chief executive Mark Gardner. “It’s happening across society, including schools, campuses, workplaces, public transport and on the streets.”
There were 1,978 cases of anti-Semitism between January and July, the CST said, more than double the number reported in the same period last year. She also said there had been a significant increase in online incidents and anti-Jewish hate related to the school.
In February, CST said 2023 was the worst year for anti-Semitism in Britain since it began recording the data following a wave of hate following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.
Last year, the government gave the charity an additional £3 million ($3.8 million) to fund help with security at Jewish institutions.
“The staggering level of anti-Semitic hatred outlined in this report is truly appalling and we must never relent in our work to stamp out this hatred in all its forms,” said Home Secretary (Home Secretary) Yvette Cooper.
