Antisemitic incidents more than double in the first half of 2024 to hit a record high
Incidents of anti-Jewish hate doubled in the UK between January and June to reach record levels, according to a charity.
The Community Security Trust (CST) says it registered 1,978 antisemitic cases in the first half of the year, compared to 964 over the same period in 2023.
The charity - which provides protection for British Jews against antisemitic attacks - says it is the highest total ever reported to CST in the first six months of any year.
The figures include: 121 assaults, 83 cases of damage or desecration, 142 threats and 1,618 reports of abusive behaviour.
The charity blames the rise on the antisemitic reaction to the 7 October terror attacks in Israel and the ongoing war.
CST chief executive, Mark Gardner, described the figures as evidence of "the disgraceful surge in British antisemitism".
He told Sky News: "It's a sign that the massive surge in anti-Jewish racism - that we saw at the end of last year after the Hamas terror attack on Israel on 7 October - has not entirely gone away.
"It's still causing a massive impact across the Jewish community in this country."
Most of the anti-Jewish cases were recorded in London (1,035) and Greater Manchester (268) - home to the UK's largest Jewish communities - making up two-thirds of all reports.
Scotland Yard has previously acknowledged there is a problem in London after a "massive increase" in antisemitic incidents and offences since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
But cases were also registered elsewhere in the UK including: Leeds (84), Birmingham (30) and Oxford (29).
Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, said: "There is no place in Britain for this vile hatred and we are absolutely clear that those who push this poison - on the streets or online - must always face the full force of the law."
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Meanwhile, Shadow Home Secretary, James Cleverly, said: "It is up to all of us to stop and reverse the increase in this vile hatred we have seen in the UK since the Hamas terror attack on October 7."
Police have also commented on the figures, appealing for anyone who experiences hate crime to report it.
Chief Constable Chris Noble, from the National Police Chiefs' Council, said: "The abuse suffered by Jewish communities is utterly unacceptable.
"We ask that victims come to us as soon as possible after an offence has been committed so we can begin our investigation as early as possible."
In February, CST confirmed there had been 4,103 antisemitic incidents in 2023, an all-time high, and described the figures as an "explosion in hatred" and "absolute disgrace".
