Human toll these high antisemitism numbers take
Today’s report reveals something of the toll antisemitism takes on our community and the consequence of the volume of antisemitic reactions to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The numbers reveal a simple truth: when there is a trigger event in the Middle East, the impact on Jewish diaspora populations is significant. Jews from all walks of life and all parts of the community are targeted by those who hold Jews responsible for Israel’s alleged actions.
Every time hostilities in the region increase, CST sees a spike in anti-Jewish hate in the UK, none more extreme than in 2021.
Either this is antisemites using conflict in Israel as an excuse to act out their hatred of Jews; or people getting worked up about Israel and taking out their anger on British Jews as a local proxy target. Either way, the impact is the same.
What these numbers cannot capture is the human toll: the story of a victim who reaches out for support in dealing with the shock and trauma of a targeted, physical attack; a parent scared to send their child to school, where classmates will continue to harass them with shouts of ‘Free Palestine’; a witness to antisemitic graffiti, whose feeling of safety is eroded with every swastika they see daubed onto a public wall.
CST is here to help, protect and advocate for those affected by this hatred. It is a mission that is more easily achievable when the effort is collective, when our community and allies report antisemitism to CST and police, and support all our efforts against the danger.
Find out more at www.cst.org.uk. In an emergency, call the police and then call our 24-hour emergency number, 0800 032 3263.