All posts tagged: antisemitism

Humanists condemn rising antisemitism, call for solidarity with British Jews under attack  – Humanists UK

Humanists condemn rising antisemitism, call for solidarity with British Jews under attack  – Humanists UK

Published by Sam Flores

Statement from Janet Ellis and Andrew Copson In the early hours of 23 March, four ambulances were set alight in Golders Green. They belonged to a Jewish-run volunteer ambulance service whose paramedics rush to emergencies to save lives — Jewish or not — across north London. In retrospect it was the first incident in a five-week spate of attacks that has since included petrol bombs thrown at synagogues, and a double stabbing on a London street that the UK government has declared a terrorist incident. Whether these attacks are the spontaneous actions of individuals or, as UK security services are suggesting, terror sponsored by the Iranian regime, there is indisputably a rising tide of hatred directed towards Jewish people in the UK. And sadly, this is not an issue confined to Islamist fundamentalists. Antisemitism is a pernicious and perennial hatred, but the flames of this hatred are being stoked and fanned now by a public discourse that equates the fact of simply being Jewish (either ethnically, culturally, or religiously) with responsibility for the actions of …

Soaring antisemitism sparks Met Police push to protect London’s Jewish population | UK | News

Soaring antisemitism sparks Met Police push to protect London’s Jewish population | UK | News

Published by Sam Flores

The Met Police is putting 100 extra officers in northwest London (Image: Getty) The Met Police has announced a Community Protection Team of 100 extra officers, as further arrests were made for antisemitic hate crimes. This follows the attacks in Golders Green on April 29, where two Jewish men were stabbed, and a suspected arson attack at a synagogue today (May 5). The new group combines neighbourhood policing, specialist protection, and counter terrorism teams. It is being done to provide a “more visible, intelligence‑led and coordinated presence focused on protecting Jewish communities” across London. The Met said that this approach reflects “what we know works best”: officers who are locally based, understand their communities, and have strong relationships with residents, schools, faith leaders and volunteers. It marks the beginning of “a new, more sustainable and consistent model of protection” built around “local knowledge, visibility and partnership, rather than relying solely on repeated short‑term surges”. This new team will be primarily focused on protecting the Jewish community, which faces some of the highest levels of hate …

How to love Israel, even when it is hard

How to love Israel, even when it is hard

Published by Sam Flores

(RNS) — I was talking recently with a young man who described a date that did not sound like the stuff of romantic legend. The dinner seemed to be going well. The wine flowed, as did the conversation — with just enough spark to suggest possibility. He leaned into the moment, sensing chemistry, feeling that quiet optimism that accompanies a promising first date. Then, she leaned forward, lowered her voice and asked a question that changed everything. “I really like you,” she said. “I feel attracted to you. But I need to know something. Are you a Zionist?” He had expected something more intimate, something more personal. Instead, he found himself fumbling through an answer about loving, supporting and caring about Israel. The young woman was also Jewish. Let’s just say there would be no second date. Israel is the elephant in the Jewish living room. It’s the subject of my podcast conversation with Yehuda Kurtzer, president of the Shalom Hartman Institute, the research and educational center focused on Israel and Jews around the world …

Green candidate called Jewish people cockroaches as depth of party’s anti-Semitism problem revealed

Green candidate called Jewish people cockroaches as depth of party’s anti-Semitism problem revealed

Published by Sam Flores

The arrest of two Green Party candidates over anti-Semitism allegations is “just the tip of the iceberg”, opponents have claimed. Saiqa Ali and Sabine Mairey, who are both standing for the party in central London, were detained by Met Police officers on Thursday morning. But The Telegraph can reveal almost 20 Green candidates at next week’s local elections have posted offensive material, with anti-Israel sentiment running deep in the party under Zack Polanski, its leader. They include one who referred to Jewish people as “cockroaches”, while others expressed support for Palestine Action, a banned terror group. Kevin Hollinrake, the Tory chairman, said: “These arrests appear to be just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to anti-Semitism in the Green Party. “Zack Polanski needs to step up and start taking action against those in his party who are openly promoting the oldest form of racism: anti-Semitism.” A Green Party spokesman said: “We are investigating anything brought to our attention that doesn’t fit with Green Party values and views.” Mothin Ali, the party’s deputy leader, …

Politics Home | Train Teachers To Identify Antisemitism In Classrooms, Says Independent Advisor

Politics Home | Train Teachers To Identify Antisemitism In Classrooms, Says Independent Advisor

Published by Sam Flores

The government’s antisemitism Lord John Mann told PoliticsHome all school teachers should have “basic” antisemitism training. (Alamy) 5 min read51 min The government’s independent advisor on antisemitism has called for teachers to be given basic training in how to identify antisemitism in classrooms, telling PoliticsHome that there must be a stronger state effort to tackle rising hate against Britain’s Jews. Lord John Mann, a former Labour MP who has advised ministers on antisemitism since 2019, said he was not “satisfied” with how successive governments have responded to rising levels of antisemitism in the UK, saying “everyone needs to up their game”. Mann spoke to PoliticsHome after two Jewish people were stabbed in a terrorist attack in Golders Green, north London, on Wednesday. The Met Police announced on Friday morning that Essa Suleima, 45, had been charged in connection with the attack. There have also been arson attacks in the wider borough of Barnet, home to the UK’s largest Jewish community, in recent months, including the firebombing of ambulances run by a Jewish charity and several synagogues, and a lethal …

Attempted murder charge after Jewish men stabbed in London – POLITICO

Attempted murder charge after Jewish men stabbed in London – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Suleiman was also charged with attempted murder in relation to a separate incident on the same date in central London. He remains in police custody and will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court Friday. The Met’s counter-terror lead Helen Flanagan said: “Our thoughts remain with the victims involved and specialist officers continue to provide them with support as their recovery continues. “We are determined to get justice for the victims and now that a person has been charged, I would urge everyone to avoid any further speculation in relation to this case so that justice can run its course.” Suleiman, a British national born in Somalia who came to the U.K. in the 1990s, was referred to the government’s counter-extremism program Prevent in 2020 — but the case was closed in the same year. The charge comes after the U.K.’s terror threat level was raised Thursday evening from “substantial” to “severe,” meaning security services see an attack as “highly likely” in the next six months. The government, under pressure after a spare of attacks on Jews …

U.K. calls antisemitism an emergency, police probe stabbing attack : NPR

U.K. calls antisemitism an emergency, police probe stabbing attack : NPR

Published by Sam Flores

Members of the community watch as forensic officers search the area after two people were stabbed in the Golders Green neighborhood, that has a large Jewish community, in London, Wednesday. Kin Cheung/AP hide caption toggle caption Kin Cheung/AP LONDON — The U.K. government on Thursday said that the country is facing an antisemitism emergency and pledged to increase security for Jewish communities after a string of arson attacks and a double stabbing that have sparked fear and anger among Jews. The country’s official threat level from terrorism was raised from substantial to severe after Wednesday’s stabbing attack in London, which police have called an act of terrorism. Severe is the second-highest rung on a five-point scale and means intelligence agencies consider an attack highly likely in the next six months. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that his government “will do everything in our power to stamp this hatred out” after two Jewish men, ages 34 and 76, were seriously injured in a stabbing in Golders Green, an area in north London that is an epicenter …

London police say stabbing of 2 Jewish men is declared a terrorist incident

London police say stabbing of 2 Jewish men is declared a terrorist incident

Published by Sam Flores

LONDON (AP) — Two Jewish men were stabbed and injured in a London street on Wednesday, in what police called an act of terrorism. Police arrested a 45-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder in the city’s latest antisemitic attack. The Metropolitan Police said the attack in the Golders Green area left two men, aged 34 and 76, hospitalized with knife wounds. Counterterror police are investigating whether the stabbings are linked to recent arson attacks on synagogues and other Jewish sites in the British capital. Politicians condemned the attack. “Attacks on our Jewish community are attacks on Britain,” Prime Minister Keir Starmer said. The security organization Shomrim said a suspect “was seen running along Golders Green Road armed with a knife and attempting to stab Jewish members of the public.” It said the suspect was detained by Shomrim members and arrested by police, who used a stun gun on him. Surveillance camera footage showed a man beside a bus stop donning a kippah, or traditional skullcap, before a passerby with a knife lunges at him. Police said the …