Arabic version: الحكومة البريطانية تتناول ارتفاع معاداة السامية كقضية أمن قومي

The UK government’s adviser on terrorism, Jonathan Hall KC, has declared that antisemitism represents “the biggest national security emergency” in almost a decade. According to BBC News, Hall expressed concerns that Jewish communities are feeling increasingly unsafe due to a series of recent attacks.

The latest incident occurred in Golders Green, London, where two Jewish men, named locally as Shloime Rand, 34, and Moshe Shine, 76, were stabbed. Police are treating the attack as a terrorist incident and have arrested a 45-year-old British national on suspicion of attempted murder. This incident is part of a troubling trend, with multiple attacks targeting Jewish individuals reported in recent months.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has stated that while she does not consider the situation a national emergency, she acknowledges it as a significant concern that the government is prioritizing. She emphasized that additional funding of £25 million will be allocated for increased police presence and security measures in Jewish communities, including synagogues and schools.

UK Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis has called for more substantial actions to address the root causes of antisemitism, highlighting the need for a stronger response to ensure the safety of visibly Jewish individuals. The Board of Deputies of British Jews has echoed this sentiment, demanding that antisemitism be confronted with the full force of the law.

In light of the escalating violence, Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp described the frequency of attacks on Jewish communities as “shameful” and supported Hall’s characterization of the situation as a national emergency. He stressed that the government must move beyond words to take effective action against this rising tide of antisemitism.