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In cafés and onstage, on our streets and campuses, on television and online, hate is all around us, and we are responding

This weekend has showcased just how desperate the situation is for British Jews – and all Britons who believe in law and order, decency and tolerance – and has underscored to us at Campaign Against Antisemitism why what we do is so important.

It is hard to know where to begin.

Assault on Charedi man

We were alerted to reports of a man who chased a Jew down the street shouting “Free Palestine” in what was an act of brazen antisemitism.

Apparently some see a Jewish person and think that, because they are Jewish, they are fair game to harass in the name of ‘freeing Palestine’. Others, clearly not fearing any repercussions, will actually act upon their demented impulse.

Campaign Against Antisemitism exists to ensure that they do face repercussions.

We offered a reward for information leading to the identification and conviction of the perpetrator. Already on the same day, we were contacted confidentially by a member of the public with a tip as to the identity of perpetrator.

Our Online Monitoring and Investigations Unit has now verified the information provided to us. It is our intention to ensure that the person responsible for this brazen act of antisemitism faces the full force of the law.

If you have information regarding this incident, including information about the perpetrator, please contact us confidentially at [email protected].

This is the true face of Palestine protesters.

*See antisemitism.org/terms

Attack at kosher café

We received footage of an attack on Jewish customers at a kosher restaurant in central London.

We helped to publicise the incident and understand that police have made an arrest and are reportedly treating this as a hate crime. Those responsible for any attack must face the full force of the law.

Meanwhile, in Manchester, we learned that a man believed to be leaving an Oasis concert was reported to police after a Jewish man was verbally abused.

At approximately 21:45 last night, a topless man, believed to be drunk, came to the entrance of a kosher restaurant on Bury Old Road and began harassing customers, all of whom were identifiably Jewish.

The man then allegedly started commenting on customers being Jewish and is understood to have mentioned “bad Jews in Israel” before demanding to know what the views of the customers were on the conflict. We understand that this made those in the restaurant feel incredibly uncomfortable. Backing away from the door after being approached, he then shouted “Free Palestine!”

Nearby officers at the scene were made aware of the alleged assailant. We are in touch with the victim and offering support.

Our polling shows that fewer than half of British Jews (43%) feel welcome in the UK. With incidents like these, is it any wonder?

Even the opera is not immune

At the curtain call for a performance of Verdi’s Il Trovatore at the Royal Opera House in London, a member of the cast unfurled the flag of the Palestinian Authority onstage.

It is so typical of the narcissism of some of the Palestine crowd that they hijack the last night of an enormously successful production at one of the world’s most famous opera houses and try to make it about their performative politics. Other members of the cast who had worked so hard must have wondered why people in the audience started to boo during their curtain call, as an incensed stage manager tried to grab the flag.

The Royal Ballet and Opera has denounced what happened as “a wholly inappropriate act”. We completely agree.

We understand that the performer was a freelancer and that this was their last night on stage. If that’s the case, good riddance.

This isn’t about freeing Palestine. This is about an attention-seeker craving even more of the spotlight.

Brits trying to enjoy an evening out shouldn’t have to worry about whether fanatics obsessed with the world’s only Jewish state may try to dominate the night.

“Zionist Holocaust” on London’s streets

On Saturday, Palestine Action’s supporters were out in force, on a day with over 100 arrests.

Masked thugs took over the streets in London and towns around the UK once again, firing flares, shouting “f*** your Jewish state” at Jews, and smugly goading officers, daring them to do something. Thankfully, they did.

Police made over 100 arrests. 55 were arrested in London on suspicion of supporting a proscribed terrorist organisation, with a further sixteen arrested in Manchester, and seventeen in Bristol for the same offence. Another ten were arrested at the Palestine Solidarity Campaign’s march in London, including for a racially aggravated public order offence, and for breaching Public Order Act conditions.

Meanwhile, walking around Central London parading a sign about a “Zionist Holocaust” is abhorrent and disgraceful.

Some six million Jewish men, women and children were murdered in the Holocaust, representing around one third of the world’s Jewish population. 80 years later, the Jewish population has still not fully recovered. There is no comparison to be made.

According to the International Definition of Antisemitism, “Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis” is an example of antisemitism.

Extremist rhetoric has no place on our streets.

If you see such rhetoric, contact us at [email protected].

Show your opposition to what our country is becoming: March with us on 7th September

Since the proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, the thuggery and performative nature of this movement have become increasingly clear. It seems pretty obvious to us that Palestine Action smashes up Jewish businesses and wrecks RAF aircraft because they hate Jews and hate Britain, so their supporters cannot then claim to be persecuted peaceful protesters advocating for an organisation that is meek and harmless.

If this were about foreign conflicts, they would have spoken up against the massacre of Druze in Syria this week, but they were silent. Why? Because they are extremists, obsessed with Jews, the Jewish state, and intimidating and radicalising here on the streets of the UK.

In almost two years, they have yet to influence anything thousands of miles away in the Middle East, but they are having an enormous impact on the lives of ordinary law-abiding people here in Britain.

We welcome the robust action from the authorities. However, those arrested this weekend must face the full force of the law, not be released to take over our cities again.

The police action that we are seeing now should have happened nearly two years ago when the Palestine extremists first began their campaign of intimidation, gaslighting the British public by labelling their thuggery as “peaceful”. But it is still too little, too late.

The constant protests, masked mobs, vandalism, glorification of terrorism, and open hatred of Jews that we have seen week after week must end. They were given an inch, and they’ve now taken the country. Enough is enough.

On 7th September, we will be in Central London for Britain’s March Against Antisemitism, demanding action. Join us.

Sign up now at antisemitism.org/march.

The BBC is still trying to defend itself

Video leaked this week of Deborah Turness, the CEO of BBC News, appearing to downplay the scandal of licence fee money going to the family of a Hamas official whose son narrated a BBC documentary about Gaza.

In the footage, she sought to emphasise that the official in question – a deputy minister in the Hamas Government – was supposedly a member of Hamas’ so-called ‘political wing’.

Notwithstanding that the artificial distinction between Hamas’ military and political wings is nonsense (as if the Nazi Government was somehow more palatable because it wasn’t the SS), both ‘wings’ are proscribed by the British Government, and providing support or financial benefit to either is equally unlawful.

Isn’t it funny how now it’s so “important to remind people” of this official’s precise role, when it wasn’t important at all in the so-called documentary itself.

The BBC is still trying to play down this scandal. There is always an excuse.

This is why we said that the BBC’s internal report on the scandal almost read like the Corporation was trying to exonerate itself – and this is further evidence.

Ofcom, which is now investigating, should take into account the broadcaster’s institutional inability – as we have seen time and again from the BBC – to accept its failings.

Does the public trust the BBC?

According to our polling, 92% of British Jews rate the BBC’s coverage of matters of Jewish interest as unfavourable.

Elie hit the streets to see what the public thinks. You can listen to what they have to say here.

On the rare occasion the BBC does the right thing, Channel 4 will make up for it

It would appear that a producer of a Gaza documentary axed by the BBC (a different Gaza documentary to the one narrated by the Hamas official’s son), but then aired by Channel 4, is someone who celebrates antisemitic terror attacks that murder Jews.

Osama Al Ashi was one of two Gazan producers working on the documentary Gaza: Doctors Under Attack, which was made by Basement Films, an independent production company. The film had been commissioned by the BBC, but the Corporation, reeling from the other Gaza documentary fiasco, decided that broadcasting this other film “risked creating a perception of partiality that would not meet the high standards that the public rightly expect of the BBC”.

Channel 4 then acquired the film, declaring it had carried out “thorough fact checking and verification” to ensure that it met its editorial standards and the Ofcom broadcasting code. The documentary was broadcast on 2nd July.

It has now emerged, however, that Mr Ashi previously described Khairi Alqam, a 21-year-old terrorist from Jerusalem who murdered seven Israelis, including a fourteen-year-old child, outside a synagogue on Holocaust Memorial Day in 2023, as a “martyr”. Mr Ashi reportedly reacted to the attack by posting a commemorative video showing photos of the terrorist, captioned “the martyr Khairi Alqam – may God have mercy on him and forgive him”, a common Arabic condolence message.

On 7th October 2023, Mr Ashi reportedly shared footage of Hamas terrorists flying into Israel by paraglider, set to an Islamist song encouraging fighting. The post is captioned: “These are the videos that settlers are now circulating of the resistance storming and infiltrating the occupied territories in the Gaza Strip.”

On another social media platform, also on 7th October, Mr Ashi reportedly posted a video showing Hamas rockets being fired into Israel, accompanied by an excitable child’s voice saying: “Go, go!” The video is captioned “keep going, oh Mahdi, keep going!” followed by two fire emojis and a laughing-crying emoji.

There was reportedly other inflammatory material as well.

Deborah Turness, the CEO of BBC News, recently revealed that it was concerns over the “social media activity” of a journalist involved in this documentary that prompted the Corporation to pause production. Ramita Navai had reportedly said during a BBC radio interview that Israel was “a rogue state that’s committing war crimes and ethnic cleansing and mass-murdering Palestinians”.

Channel 4 saw fit to give Mr Ashi a platform to air his film on themes related to these outrageous social media posts, to say nothing of other individuals who were involved in the production of the documentary.

Channel 4 has no excuse. They knew that the film was high risk after the BBC axed it, but they thought that they had scored some PR win by broadcasting it themselves. What they have instead is a PR disaster – and a predictable one at that.

Whoever decided that this publicly-funded broadcaster should show this programme clearly needs to be fired. No ifs or buts.

We will be writing to Channel 4 and to Ofcom.

Catching bots in the act

On Friday, #Famine_in_Gaza was trending on the social media platform X. Campaign Against Antisemitism investigated the trend and found that it was started and manipulated by bots.

Here’s how it works:

First, hundreds of accounts start posting phrases concocted by AI, but all using the #Famine_in_Gaza hashtag.

All of the bot accounts post with the hashtag and a phrase that a typical X user might post. There is no engagement with the post because these particular bots have no friends.

The bots then use a random string of characters at the end of the post, for example, “tYuJL”. This is to make X’s anti-bot algorithm think that it’s definitely a unique post. 

The bots look at each other’s posts to fool the X algorithm into thinking that they’re interesting. As a result, bot accounts with a small number of followers have a disproportionately high number of views on their posts. 

In terms of ownership, some bots are operated by state actors to pursue an agenda, but today’s bots are just bots for sale, which post about anything. One of the bots identified by Campaign Against Antisemitism posts in all languages about everything from scams to politics and likes to “lick hallucinogenic frogs”, according to its profile. 

Someone, somewhere, decided to direct a bot farm to promote the hashtag #Famine_in_Gaza and an army of bots swung into action. The bots are mostly registered around 2011 and 2012 and have been posting in coordination for a very long time.

After a while, the hashtag reaches number one and real users weigh in. One user’s post with the hashtag read: “Israel, worse than Nazi Germany.” According to the International Definition of Antisemitism, “Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis” is an example of antisemitism.

Unfortunately, this phenomenon is all too common. When Elon Musk took over X, he said that he would end the influence of bots on the platform, but that clearly hasn’t happened.

This isn’t just a case of a few hackers having fun on social media. It is the deliberate manipulation of public discourse, with real-world consequences for Jews across the globe, who have faced an unimaginable surge in antisemitism over the past two years — a crisis only worsened by foul play online. This is the new face of media manipulation, and it is deadly serious.

Why has Diane Abbott (only) been suspended?

Diane Abbott MP has doubled down on comments about Jews that she previously made in a letter to The Observer that previously got her suspended from the Labour Party.

The original 2023 letter was written in response to an article in The Observer by Tomiwa Owolade, which commented on a new report on ethnic inequality that revealed that “Irish, Jewish and Traveller people are among the most abused.”

Ms Abbott wrote: “Tomiwa Owolade claims that Irish, Jewish and Traveller people all suffer from ‘racism’. They undoubtedly experience prejudice. This is similar to racism and the two words are often used as if they are interchangeable. It is true that many types of white people with points of difference, such as redheads, can experience this prejudice. But they are not all their lives subject to racism…”

Asked by the BBC if she regretted the incident, she reportedly said “No, not at all,” and proceeded to try to defend the remarks.

That was not the full story, however.

In its article covering the interview with the long-serving MP, the BBC summarised the letter as follows: “She suggested people of colour experienced racism in a different way to Jewish people, Irish people and Travellers.”

But that isn’t what she wrote.

So, Ms Abbott stands by rhetoric that got her suspended from Labour, which is clearly conduct that merits expulsion from the Party.

The BBC misreports the original incident, misleadingly paraphrasing the language in a way that makes it seem less offensive to Jewish people.

We called, yet again, for Ms Abbott finally to be expelled from the Labour Party, and, yet again, for an independent investigation into the BBC and its coverage of matters of Jewish interest.

Interesting how Labour and the BBC have both struggled to get to grips with this same issue.

While the BBC amended its article, Labour announced that Ms Abbott would be suspended.

But let’s be clear: Ms Abbott has been suspended for doubling down on comments for which she was previously suspended. Does that make sense to anybody?

Two yellow cards is a red in our book.

Ms Abbott has obviously not learned a thing from her previous suspension. There is no reason to believe that she will from this one. She must be expelled.

On our campuses and in our schools

Jewish students on campus have had to endure seismic levels of abusive antisemitism since 7th October 2023.

Anti-Israel protests and encampments left many feeling unsafe at their own university.

Now these same activists have capped off their streak of disruptive and intimidatory activism by ruining graduation ceremonies.

Showcasing an obsession with Israel — the world’s only Jewish state — during a graduation ceremony is not noble. It is shameful.

Students have spent years working for their degree so that they may finally graduate. Hijacking what should be one of the proudest moments in the lives of fellow students and their families for the sake of performative activism does nothing to bring peace to the Middle East. This attention-seeking only spreads hate right here in the UK.

A new survey of Jewish teachers by the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) has found that more than half of Jewish teachers have reported abuse.

They have reported increasing instances of swastika graffiti and chants of “free Palestine” and “f*** the Jews”.

One Jewish teacher said: “On multiple occasions, students have shouted ‘free Palestine’ at me. On another occasion, someone shouted ‘f*** the Jews’ outside a meeting of Jewish students.”

Our Director of Investigations and Enforcement appeared on GB News to examine the issue.

With attacks and intimidation in cafes and on our streets, on campuses and in schools, in our media and online, it is difficult to know where to begin when explaining how desperate the situation is becoming for British Jews.

It is also not clear where things will end.

Our country is changing. We must not stand by.

March with us on Sunday 7th September.

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CAA identifies man who appears to shout “Free Palestine” and chase visibly Jewish man

Campaign Against Antisemitism believes that it has identified a man who appeared to video himself targeting a visibly Jewish man.

In the footage, the alleged attacker appears to film himself saying “Free Palestine” at the Jewish man, who then responds saying “No picture,” before walking away. The man filming addresses the camera, saying, “He wants my money. He wants to steal my money.”

Visibly distressed, the Jewish man runs away from the man filming, asking him to stop. The man filming is seen chasing the Jewish man, shouting “Oy, come here, bruv…Why are you running?”

After publishing the footage and offering a £5,000 reward for information leading to the identification and conviction of the perpetrator, Campaign Against Antisemitism was contacted by a member of the public with a tip as to the identity of the perpetrator.

Our Online Monitoring and Investigations Unit has now verified the information provided to us.

A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “Chasing a Jew through London and shouting ‘Free Palestine’ is an act of brazen antisemitism. This is the true face of Palestine protesters. Some may see a Jewish person and think that, because they are Jewish, they are fair game to harass in the name of ‘freeing Palestine’. Others, clearly not fearing any repercussions, will actually act upon their demented impulse. Only 16% of British Jews are confident that if they reported an antisemitic crime, it would be prosecuted if there was strong enough evidence, according to our representative polling. This is a chance for the authorities to change that. We will do everything we can to ensure that the perpetrator of this alleged attack is brought to justice. We cannot risk others becoming targets of this terrifying behaviour.”

*See antisemitism.org/terms

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Ofcom investigating after BBC claims ‘nothing to see here’

The BBC has published its long-awaited report into its decision to broadcast and then take down a documentary purportedly about children’s lives in Gaza. The film was removed from iPlayer after it was revealed that its thirteen-year-old narrator was the son of a senior Hamas official.

In February, the BBC apologised after an interim report identified “serious flaws” in the making of Gaza: How to Survive a War Zone, which was made for the BBC by production company Hoyo Films.

After the revelation of the identity of the narrator by researcher David Collier, Campaign Against Antisemitism organised two protests at Broadcasting House, where we called for the BBC to stop whitewashing terrorism and stop serving as spokespeople for Hamas. We also launched a campaign across national newspapers, calling for the suspension of the licence fee, pending an independent investigation. Our petition making that demand has received tens of thousands of signatures.

This new report, which sheds little additional light, has been led by Peter Johnston, the BBC’s Director of Editorial Complaints and Reviews, which is reportedly independent of BBC News and reports directly to Director General Tim Davie.

We’ve waited months for this report, only for the BBC to try to bury it under Greg Wallace’s professional corpse. Even so, the report says nothing we didn’t already know: paying licence fee money to a Hamas family was bad. The report yields no new insight, and almost reads like it’s trying to exonerate the BBC. The recommendations are frankly insulting. The only one with any merit – which isn’t even in the final list – is to consider introducing more accurate translations of Arabic curses against Jews, which the BBC has been wilfully mistranslating for decades.

The BBC is a place where bias is so ingrained that something like this could happen in the first place. This report fails to grapple with that issue in any way. We expected that from an internal BBC report, which is why we have called from the start for a thorough external investigation into bias in the BBC’s Middle East coverage and a suspension of the licence fee until that happens.

Now, Ofcom has announced that it is opening its own investigation, saying: “Having examined the BBC’s findings, we are launching an investigation under our rule, which states that factual programmes must not materially mislead the audience.”

But this is about more than just this Gaza ‘documentary’. From Glastonbury to Gary Lineker, the BBC has disgraced itself again and again.

If the BBC were an accountable organisation, senior executives would be scrambling to save their jobs. Instead, it’s the usual weasel pledge to ‘update some guidelines’. This is appalling. Under Director General Tim Davie, the BBC has gone from national treasure to national embarrassment. He needs to go.

We are in discussion with the police about taking Britain’s March Against Antisemitism to Broadcasting House on 7th September, because we cannot tackle antisemitism in Britain until we tackle the rot at the BBC.

Will you be able to say that you were there?

Over the weekend, our spokespeople were on television and radio explaining how the findings of a Government-backed report into antisemitism, which will be shocking to many ordinary Britons, reflect the everyday reality for British Jews.

But raising awareness is only the first step. If we want change, we need to fight for it.

Join us on Sunday 7th September in Central London for Britain’s March Against Antisemitism.

Will you be able to say that you were there and helped fight for change?

From TikTok to jail

Shakeel Yunis, 44, of Craven Street, Coventry, has been sentenced to eighteen months’ imprisonment after he admitted to conveying a threat of serious harm in connection with a TikTok video in which he targeted a Jewish man whom he believed to be serving in the IDF.

In the video, Mr Yunis said that if the Jewish man was “caught in Nando’s with his family, people are not going to care. They’re going to drag him away from his family in front of his family…If he’s in his home, people are gonna go through his home like [name of victim] did with others in Gaza.” Speaking directly to the camera, Mr Yunis said: “Do you think that people like me and many thousands with us are going to leave your people alone?”

Mr Yunis also said in the video: “You’re going to see the consequences of your actions.” Apparently referring to Israel, he also said: “You see everything you’ve got your soldiers to do to others is now going to be returned to them tenfold.”

The victim moved homes, removed his image from social media and began using an alias due to fears for his safety as a result of the incident.

At the time that the video was published, the victim was soon due to give a talk at King’s College London as part of his charity work. Whilst Mr Yunis believed that the victim was serving in the IDF at the time of the video, in fact, the victim had already completed his service.

Campaign Against Antisemitism reported Mr Yunis to the Metropolitan Police on 28th March 2024, shortly after the video was published on TikTok.

On 19th June 2024, Campaign Against Antisemitism was granted a summons by the Westminster Magistrates’ Court to charge Mr Yunis in a private prosecution. He was charged with one count of sending a message that conveyed a threat of serious harm contrary to section 181 of the Online Safety Act 2023 and one count of sending, by means of a public electronic communications network matter, a message of a menacing character contrary to section 127(1)(a) and (3) of the Communications Act 2003.

Mr Yunis was arrested on 2nd August 2024, after which Campaign Against Antisemitism requested that the court proceedings adjourn whilst the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed its own charges against Mr Yunis. Campaign Against Antisemitism then requested that the court adjourn, as it was confirmed that the CPS’s charges related to the same conduct as in the private prosecution. The CPS then saw its case through to conviction and sentencing.

On 22nd August 2024, Mr Yunis pleaded guilty to one count of sending a communication threatening death or serious harm.

The court heard that Mr Yunis had “strong political views” but denied targeting people due to their race or religion. Matthew Cullen, Mr Yunis’ barrister, argued that he was acting on incorrect information and that he felt “severe guilt” about the matter.

The sentencing judge said: “It was a very serious offence which undermines the operation of a stable and civilised society. The need for deterrence is established and is a highly relevant and important factor in your case.”

Shakeel Yunis’ sentencing marks a victory against those who feel that they can target and endanger Jews with impunity. When antisemitism crosses the criminal threshold, there must be ruinous consequences, and that is exactly what Mr Yunis is facing.

We are pleased to have played an important role in bringing this outcome about, and we thank the police and the CPS for treating this case with the seriousness that it merits.

Arrests of Palestine Action supporters after Campaign Against Antisemitism tip-off to police

Last week, our Online Investigations and Monitoring Unit uncovered and exposed plans by a group of fanatics encouraging people to hold signs in support of the now-proscribed terrorist organisation Palestine Action this weekend. We shared these plans with The Telegraph.

The group advised potential protesters: “Although there’s a substantial risk of arrest, and all taking part should be prepared for that, the indications from Saturday are that the stakes for action-takers are relatively low.”

The fact that this group believed that the stakes are low for those who risk breaking the law showed that any appearance of weak enforcement would not deter those prepared to show their support for a terrorist organisation. We informed Counter Terrorism Policing and the Metropolitan Police.

After we tipped off police forces in advance of the protests, police made some 70 arrests over the weekend.

Any individuals found to have committed terror offences must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Extremism in this country must be confronted, and the law must be enforced.

Success: Hamas to remain banned in the UK

The Home Office has announced that Hamas will not be de-proscribed, following the organisation’s application to be removed from the UK’s list of banned terror groups.

Campaign Against Antisemitism provided a detailed dossier to the Home Secretary in response to Hamas’ application, and we welcome this decision.

Hamas can now appeal to the Proscribed Organisations Appeal Commission. As we have said before, we will never allow Hamas to be de-proscribed in the UK, and will fight in court if necessary.

Meanwhile, following complaints by us and others to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) regarding Fahad Ansari, one of Hamas’ lawyers, an investigation has been opened. His law firm is reportedly ceasing to trade as a regular legal practice and the organisation changed its name from Riverway Law to Riverway to the Sea. The name is a blatant reference to the phrase “From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free,” which most British Jews regard as an antisemitic call to destroy the Jewish state, according to our representative polling.

The SRA is investigating Mr Ansari’s social media activity, and we have also submitted complaints to the Bar Standards Board regarding the barristers involved in Hamas’ application in relation to their rhetoric.

Time to proscribe the IRGC and the Houthis

With Palestine Action now proscribed – another major success – and Hamas’ application for de-proscribed rejected, it is time for the Home Office finally to turn its attention to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Ansar Allah (the Houthis).

At the recent debate in the House of Commons on the proscription of Palestine Action, Sir Iain Duncan Smith rightly raised the issue of the IRGC, saying: “This debate has cast into light the fact that we have taken no action to proscribe the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Given all the elements that we are discussing today, this question sits like the elephant in the room: why are we not proscribing the IRGC?…That would have a huge impact on terrorism, or aspects of terrorism.”

He also pointed out that “When in opposition, the Government campaigned to proscribe the IRGC.” So why has it not happened yet?

Then, on Thursday, Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee released a major report revealing that Iran has targeted “prominent Jewish individuals” among at least fifteen attempts to kill or kidnap people in Britain.

The report states: “When summarising Iran’s approach to the UK, the Intelligence Community noted that Iran…represents a significant threat to Israeli and Jewish entities.”

Among its top priorities of maintaining the theocratic regime and protecting Shia interests worldwide, targeting Jews and Israelis is a key goal of the Islamic Republic. The IRGC is the key instrument for executing these objectives.

The report notes media reports that the IRGC has allegedly attempted to radicalise British university students through online talks in which IRGC officers espoused antisemitic and violent views, urging students to support illegal attacks and venerating people who had carried out acts of aggression.

The report further says: “The Home Office has rightly proscribed several Iran-supported groups assessed to be concerned in terrorism – such as Al-Qaeda, Hamas and Lebanese Hizbollah – but there are increasingly calls for the UK to proscribe the IRGC as a terrorist organisation.”

It concludes: “The Government should fully examine whether it would be legally possible and practicable to proscribe the IRGC and, if so, what the arguments are both for and against – and make a full statement to Parliament.”

We welcome this critical report into a regime that threatens British Jews and the UK and its national interests more generally. The IRGC is the principal instrument by which Iran puts these threats into practice. Prior to the election, this Government promised to proscribe. It must now keep its word.

You can help to make it happen by signing the petition: antisemitism.org/BanTheIRGC.

“How Did The Zionist Lobby Take Control Of White House Decisions?”

This week, the front of a newspaper in Yemen (called “26 September”) aligned to Ansar Allah (the Houthis) contained a cartoon showing an octopus wearing a Jewish skullcap taking over the White House, with the headline: “How Did The Zionist Lobby Take Control Of White House Decisions?”

Meanwhile, the Houthis, whose slogan is “Death to America, Death to Israel, Curse be upon the Jews, Victory to Islam”, continue to target shipping and fire missiles at civilians in Israel.

None of this is new, and we have long called for Ansar Allah to be proscribed in the UK. Why has it still not happened?

Answering your questions on antisemitism

“Jews did 9/11?”
“Can Jews be antisemitic?”
“Is anti-Zionism the same as antisemitism?”

You asked. So we sat down and answered. You can hear the answers here.

If you would like to ask us a question about antisemitism, please e-mail [email protected].

Fight antisemitism in schools and on campuses

Do you want to support Jewish students on campus and develop the skills and experience to become a powerful voice in the fight against antisemitism?

We are looking for a full-time paid School and Campus Educator for up to eight months, starting in September 2025.

For more information and to apply, please visit antisemitism.org/jobs.

Palestine Action has been proscribed and its supporters are being arrested, Hamas’s attempt to become de-proscribed as a terrorist organisation has failed after we provided the Home Secretary with a detailed legal submission, and someone threatening a Jew on TikTok has gone to prison after we launched a private prosecution. There are successes in this fight.

But the BBC still refuses to take responsibility for its failings and cannot even acknowledge the rot within, let alone act against it.

That is why we must make our voices heard. We hope that you will march with us on 7th September.

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Coventry man jailed after targeting Jewish man on TikTok

A Coventry man has been jailed after publishing a TikTok video in which he targeted a Jewish man whom he believed to be serving in the IDF.

Shakeel Yunis, 44, of Craven Street, Coventry, was sentenced to eighteen months’ imprisonment at Birmingham Crown Court on Monday, after he admitted to conveying a threat of serious harm.

In the video, Mr Yunis said that if the Jewish man was “caught in Nando’s with his family, people are not going to care. They’re going to drag him away from his family in front of his family…If he’s in his home, people are gonna go through his home like [name of victim] did with others in Gaza.”

Speaking directly to the camera, Mr Yunis said: “Do you think that people like me and many thousands with us are going to leave your people alone?”

Mr Yunis also said in the video: “You’re going to see the consequences of your actions.”

Apparently referring to Israel, he also said: “You see everything you’ve got your soldiers to do to others is now going to be returned to them tenfold.”

The victim moved homes, removed his image from social media and began using an alias due to fears for his safety as a result of the incident.

At the time that the video was published, the victim was soon due to give a talk at King’s College London as part of his charity work.

Whilst Mr Yunis believed that the victim was serving in the IDF at the time of the video, in fact the victim had already completed his service.

Campaign Against Antisemitism reported Mr Yunis to the Metropolitan Police on 28th March 2024, eight days after the video was published on TikTok.

On 19th June 2024, Campaign Against Antisemitism was granted a summons by the Westminster Magistrates’ Court to charge Mr Yunis in a private prosecution. He was charged with one count of sending a message that conveyed a threat of serious harm contrary to section 181 of the Online Safety Act 2023 and one count of sending, by means of a public electronic communications network matter, a message of a menacing character contrary to section 127(1)(a) and (3) of the Communications Act 2003.

Mr Yunis was arrested on 2nd August 2024, after which Campaign Against Antisemitism requested that the court proceedings adjourn whilst the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed its own charges against Mr Yunis. Campaign Against Antisemitism then requested that the court adjourn, as it was confirmed that the CPS’s charges related to the same conduct as in the private prosecution. The CPS then saw the case through to conviction and sentencing.

On 22nd August 2024, Mr Yunis pleaded guilty to one count of sending a communication threatening death or serious harm.

The court heard that Mr Yunis had “strong political views” but denied targeting people due to their race or religion. Matthew Cullen, Mr Yunis’ barrister, argued that he was acting on incorrect information and that he felt “severe guilt” about the matter.

In a letter to the court, Mr Yunis wrote: “I have had a long time to reflect on the mistakes I made. I have corrected a lot of the ways around how I conduct myself. I will think twice before letting my emotions take over and think twice before expressing my opinions the way I did.”

Judge Andrew Smith KC, sentencing at Birmingham Crown Court, said: “It was a very serious offence which undermines the operation of a stable and civilised society. The need for deterrence is established and is a highly relevant and important factor in your case.”

A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “Shakeel Yunis’ sentencing marks a victory against those who feel that they can target and endanger Jews with impunity. When antisemitism crosses the criminal threshold, there must be ruinous consequences, and that is exactly what Mr Yunis is facing. We are pleased to have played an important role in bringing this outcome about, and we thank the police and the CPS for treating this case with the seriousness that it merits.”

Image credit: West Midlands Police

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Home Secretary, it is time to clamp down

In view of current events in the Middle East, Campaign Against Antisemitism has reiterated its call on the Home Secretary to fulfil a pre-election pledge to ban the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and also to proscribe the Palestine Action group.

The Government must also finally proscribe Ansar Allah (the Houthis) and the various groups involved in the Hamas-led 7th October 2023 terrorist attack.

The Government must clamp down. Every day that the Home Secretary delays, people who endanger our country are running amok.

Iran’s IRGC is active in the UK. There have recently been arrests in London allegedly linked to the IRGC. Not so long ago an Iranian proxy was found to have three tonnes of high explosives in London. They say that they want to target Jews anywhere around the world and that means us. That means here in our country.

Sign the petition to ban the IRGC now.

Police forces and security services cannot move against IRGC operatives until they have evidence that they are actively planning an attack, which is why proscription is needed, so that they have the legal powers to move immediately to clean out the IRGC in the UK. The Government promised to do this when it came to power a year ago. The IRGC poses a mortal threat to British Jews and the Home Secretary should lay an order before Parliament today. What is the Home Secretary waiting for?

There is now a backlog of terrorist organisations that the Government is allowing to operate here without taking action. We have also asked the Home Secretary to proscribe the Houthis (Ansar Allah) — which fire on Royal Navy ships as well as seeking the death of all Jews — and the smaller Palestinian factions which participated in Hamas’ 7th October atrocities but, due to inaction by two successive Governments, still haven’t been proscribed two years later.

We need action now. The Home Secretary must give law enforcement the powers they need to keep us safe. We cannot wait another day.

Campaign Against Antisemitism calls for ban on Palestine Action

In recent days, Campaign Against Antisemitism has written to the Home Secretary calling for the proscription of Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act 2000.

We have provided her with a detailed dossier of evidence demonstrating that the group’s activities fall, in our view, squarely within the definition of a terrorism organisation.

Palestine Action is a UK-based activist group which was formed in 2020. It has gained attention for what the organisation describes as “direct action” against companies and institutions which it considers to be linked to the Israeli Government, ranging from defence contractors to the BBC. The organisation is known for confrontational and criminal tactics, including damage to property, vandalism and the occupation of corporate or public facilities, with a latest attack just this weekend.

Since the 7th October 2023 terrorist attacks by Hamas and the subsequent war between Hamas and Israel, Palestine Action has increasingly been targeting cultural and educational sites.

The group’s methods often involve the destruction of property, disruption of business operations, and threats to public safety. Palestine Action revels in these activities and writes extensively about them on its website. The organisation has also published a handbook named “The Underground Manual”, which includes instructions on everything from forming “cells”, to how to “pick a target”, and how to commit criminal damage in the most harmful way. The handbook includes instructions on what to wear, how to use a burner phone, and which tools to use to cause the greatest damage.

We urge the Home Office to act swiftly to ban Palestine Action in order to minimise any further intimidation and property damage to the Jewish community and its institutions and to other businesses and cultural establishments.

Palestine Action is at the vanguard of an activist movement that is severely disrupting the lives of British Jews and the wider public. It is time to enforce the laws of this country and bring to justice those who seek to use what we believe the law defines as terror to advance their goals.

A huge “thank you!”

Last week, we ran our annual crowdfunding campaign, and we are enormously grateful to all of you who donated. We had more donors than ever, each giving because you believe in our work.

Our volunteers and staff see this as a huge vote of confidence in the efforts that we make every single day to defend the Jewish community and fight for the tolerant and decent Britain that we all cherish.

Thank you to everyone who donated to the campaign! It is because of you that we can continue to do our vital work and fight for our future here in Britain. You have helped ensure that our voices remain strong and that we can respond with urgency, clarity, and courage wherever and whenever we are needed.

If you did not have a chance to donate but still wish to, you can do so here.

From all of us at Campaign Against Antisemitism, thank you!

The true colours of the ‘Free Palestine’ movement

Following the second violent attack by a ‘Free Palestine’ terrorist in the United States, our Chief Executive Gideon Falter explained in an op-ed for LBC how verbal calls to ‘globalise the Intifada’ and vandalism are not the final destination of this hateful movement.

When they call for Intifada, they mean it.

You can read the full op-ed here.

Campaign Against Antisemitism challenges new application from CAGE to de-proscribe Hamas

The controversial activist group CAGE International has launched an application to get Hamas de-proscribed as a terrorist organisation in the UK.

According to CAGE, “The submission is the first of its kind to focus not only on procedural injustice, but on the systemic suppression of political speech, particularly within Britain’s Muslim communities.”

Given that the previous application, made by Hamas itself, made a similar argument, it is unclear why this new application is a ‘first-of-its-kind’, although granted it is better PR to claim that.

We have examined the application, which purports to “challenge the legality of the proscription on the grounds that it violates freedom of expression”.

The application includes several case studies, which CAGE uses to highlight how the proscription of Hamas – an antisemitic genocidal terrorist group that has murdered well in excess of a thousand Jews – apparently inhibits one’s right to freedom of expression.

So, which cases does CAGE cite in its application?

Here are some examples:

“The President of a Palestine Society at a prominent University circulated the headline ‘resistance fighters launch surprise attack against Israel’ as part of a weekly digest to update their audience of Palestine related news.”
❌ Why are people who murdered over a thousand people, raped women and burned families alive referred to merely as ‘resistance fighters’?

“M is a non-British student of Palestinian descent studying law…She was asked by a news journalist from a well-known publication to give a comment. She said: ‘We are so full of pride. We are really, really full of joy at what happened’ following the 7th October attack.”
❌ Hamas and fellow terrorist organisations murdered some 1,200 people and took over 250 hostage. Why is that something to be joyful about?

“Dr F [an NHS consultant] showed considerable support…for the right of the Palestinian people to resist. She publicly called for the de-proscription of Hamas.”
❌ That does not sound like an NHS consultant that a Jewish person would be comfortable consulting.

“S retweeted a drawing of Yahya Sinwar with the caption ‘hero’ without knowing who Yahya Sinwar was.”
❌ So S’s defence is that they are an idiot?

“A young man…allegedly uploaded videos said to be of Hamas to his social media page.”
❌ There is enough material on the internet that the young man could upload without resorting to terrorist content.

The Home Office stated that an academic “shared a document on a WhatsApp group chat, titled ‘Our Narrative – Operation Al Aqsa Flood’, published by Hamas’ media office”.
❌ Most ordinary people would be concerned that a teacher of their children is sharing material literally produced by a terrorist organisation and purporting to explain their rationale for murdering over a thousand people.

A non-British NHS doctor “reposted footage of music festivalgoers running from Hamas and commented: ‘If it was your home, you would stay and fight 🙂.’” In another post, she said: “Israel was never a country…Also, there are no civilians in Israel.”
❌ Yet another NHS clinician. Hundreds were murdered at that festival. Mocking young people running for their lives from murderous terrorists and suggesting that doing so is demonstrative of some political view is monstrous. This doctor needs to work on their bedside manner – but not at the NHS. The former Home Secretary would appear to have been right to say that her continued presence in the UK was not conducive to the public good.

A school boy wore a badge to his school which read: “Victory to the Intifada.”
❌ The intifada was a campaign of murderous Palestinian terrorism, including suicide bombings, that killed more than 1,000 Jews. Hamas was one of the leading terror groups involved.

These are curious illustrations for CAGE to rely on in its application. They are hardly the sort of opinions anyone should want in our hospitals, schools and campuses.

We have already provided a submission to the Home Secretary in response to the original application.

We will not allow Hamas to be de-proscribed in this country, and we will go to court if necessary.

“Jews aren’t welcome here” duo sentenced to prison

In November 2024, two men shouted “Jews aren’t welcome here” at four people leaving Marble Arch Synagogue.

Now, Hussein Altamimi and Ali Alanzi have been sentenced to prison at Isleworth Crown Court after being found guilty of four offences of religiously aggravated fear or provocation of violence and religiously aggravated assault. Both attackers were also found guilty of assaulting an emergency worker.

During the incident, when one of the victims began recording what was happening on her phone, Mr Altamimi struck her arm, causing her phone to fall from her hand. Mr Alanzi then threw a cup of alcohol at the victims.

The men were detained by synagogue security until the police arrived. During the arrest, Mr Alanzi assaulted a police officer.

Mr Alanzi was sentenced to seven months’ imprisonment, plus an additional twelve weeks from the activation of a suspended sentence. Mr Altamimi was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment.

If you have been a victim of an attack and need assistance getting justice, please get in touch with us at [email protected].

Meanwhile, Oghenochuko Ojiri, who has appeared on BBC’s Bargain Hunt, has been sentenced to two years and six months’ in prison.

Last month, Mr Ojiri pleaded guilty to eight offences of failing to disclose information during the course of business in the regulated sector when knowing, suspecting or having reasonable grounds for suspecting that another person has committed or attempted to commit an offence under Sections 15-18 of the Terrorism Act 2000, contrary to Section 21A of the Terrorism Act 2000.

The offences relate to the sale of several works of art to Nazem Ahmad, who is a suspected financier of Hizballah, a proscribed terrorist organisation. Mr Ahmad was sanctioned by the UK in 2023. The sales totalled nearly £140,000.

For some of the transactions, paperwork used names that were not Mr Ahmad’s, despite the sales being to him.

Messages recovered from Mr Ojiri’s phone showed him discussing money-laundering regulation with a colleague.

We welcome this verdict. Financing of antisemitic terrorist organisations has no place in the arts world.

James O’Brien and Jeremy Bowen

“Trump, in some ways, has already gone further than Kristallnacht.” So said LBC presenter James O’Brien on a recent morning show in reference to immigration enforcement riots in Los Angeles. You can listen to the full segment here.

Regardless of one’s feelings about current events in California, there is no comparison to be made to Kristallnacht.

The Nazi violence on Kristallnacht was one-way. There were no riots or mounted defences of the Jews. An estimated 7,500 Jewish-owned businesses were destroyed by the Nazi Government-backed vandals, and 91 Jews were murdered (although some scholars claim the number is much higher).

Within days, 30,000 Jewish men were rounded up and sent to concentration camps in what was effectively a dry run for what would become the Holocaust, in which six million Jews were slaughtered. Whatever may be happening in Los Angeles, it isn’t that.

This sort of hysterical commentary and implicit Holocaust distortion and trivialisation does nothing for the public’s understanding of the Holocaust and does real damage to the contemporary fight against antisemitism, which is more urgent than ever.

Constantly reaching for Holocaust analogies for every instance of violence or unrest not only confuses public understanding; it also cheapens history and disrespects victims.

Our suggestion to Mr O’Brien is that when he hears the words “shut up mate” in his head, it’s probably best to heed them.

Elsewhere, former UK Supreme Court Justice Jonathan Sumption is quoted by the BBC’s Jeremy Bowen as suggesting that the Jewish state is acting like the Jews’ historical persecutors and is committing a genocide.

The undisguised implication is that Israel is acting like Nazis.

According to the International Definition of Antisemitism, “Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis” is an example of antisemitism.

This is absolutely repugnant from one of Britain’s veteran jurists. What hope can British Jews have in our justice system when senior figures like Lord Sumption espouse views like these?

Of course it is always possible, though in this instance unlikely, that he has been misquoted by Mr Bowen, whose reporting has always left a great deal to be desired and whose abysmal reputation in the Jewish community speaks for itself.

But here we have one of the BBC’s most senior ‘journalists’ and one of the nation’s former highest judges egging each other on to vilify the Jewish state in ever more insulting terms.

Those who shamefully reference the history of Jewish persecution should worry less about urging the Jews to remember the past than doing so themselves.

Meanwhile, the BBC has issued a belated apology for publishing a video that claimed observant Jews spit on Christians in a “holiday ritual”.

On 5th October 2023, BBC Arabic published an article titled “Sukkot: Spitting and Assault on Christians and Harassment of Muslims on the Jewish Holiday,” with a video, in which it was claimed that observant Jews celebrate Sukkot (the festival of Tabernacles) in Israel by spitting on Christians.

It took the BBC nineteen months to issue an apology to our friends at CAMERA.

We have pointed out before that it is no longer clear if BBC Arabic is actually a genuine news channel or something else entirely.

We continue to call on the BBC to hold an independent investigation into its Middle East coverage, which any other institution engulfed in this many scandals would have done long ago.

Until then, the licence fee should be suspended. You can sign our petition here.

Friends of Palestine Society at Birmingham University suspended

The Friends of Palestine Society at the University of Birmingham has reportedly been suspended by the Guild of Students, following a protest last month.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has obtained footage of the protest, which took place on 15th May. The footage appears to show students chanting: “Resistance is justified when people are occupied.”

According to the International Definition of Antisemitism, which was adopted by the University in 2020, “Calling for, aiding, or justifying the killing or harming of Jews in the name of a radical ideology” is an example of antisemitism.

Further footage shows protesters chanting: “Israel is a terror state.”

According to a statement on the Society’s Instagram account, it intends to appeal the decision.

A Jewish student at the University told Campaign Against Antisemitism: “I am pleased with the Guild of Students’ decision. Hearing these kinds of slogans on campus made me feel unsafe and uneasy. Jewish students should not have to face such intimidatory protests at an institution that is supposed to be a place of learning. I hope other universities will look at this case, impose similar measures, and take a clear stand against those who seek to intimidate Jews.”

This decision vindicates Jewish students at the University of Birmingham. This protest was yet another example of just how bad the situation is for Jews on campus right now.

Universities and student societies across Britain should follow this decision and take concrete steps to protect their students, who should be able to come to campus without fear for their safety.

If any students are concerned about antisemitism on campus or need assistance, they can call us on 0330 822 0321, or e-mail [email protected].

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Solicitor loses High Court appeal after being struck off in case where CAA provided expert opinion

Farrukh Najeeb Husain, a solicitor who was struck off by the Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) last year, has lost his appeal at the High Court.

In the appeal, Mr Husain was represented by Franck Magennis, who was instructed by niche UK-Qatari law firm Five Pillars Law.

Campaign Against Antisemitism recently reported Mr Magennis to the Bar Standards Board for knowingly or recklessly presenting to the Home Secretary, on behalf of Hamas, a false and misleading description of the 7th October 2023 massacre.

The case was originally brought by the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority (SRA) against Mr Husain. Following the hearing, the SDT found a number of his social media posts to be antisemitic and offensive.

The SRA investigated Mr Husain, an immigration and employment solicitor, following complaints regarding his conduct on X, which was reported to the regulator by Bevan Brittan, a law firm that employed him at the time.

The SRA claimed that Mr Husain’s conduct online was “offensive” and, in some cases, antisemitic. Stephen Silverman, Director of Investigations and Enforcement at Campaign Against Antisemitism, gave expert witness testimony to assist the SRA in its case.

Mr Husain represented himself over the course of the hearings, which began in September 2023.

The posts in question were directed at Simon Myerson KC, a barrister, and Hugo Rifkind, a journalist. Among the posts were characterisations of Mr Rifkind as a “Zionist pig”, references to Mr Rifkind’s “eastern European kin” and the claim that Mr Myerson “wreaks of white privilege”.

Throughout the case, Mr Husain made several accusations against the SRA and Capsticks, a law firm that was representing the SRA at the tribunal. He claimed that the SRA was “weaponising new antisemitism” and subverting the International Definition of Antisemitism, and even accused the regulator of being “in bed” with Campaign Against Antisemitism. He also claimed that the solicitor acting on behalf of the SRA was an “imperialist” and asserted that she “bang[ed] on about the Holocaust because [she] wants to hide [her] country’s own crimes,” apparently referring to her British heritage.

During her cross-examination of Mr Husain, he said: “Mr Myerson is a fascist.”

Mr Husain extended his accusations towards Mr Silverman too during cross-examination and said: “It is you who are engaging in the antisemitic trope that there is a collection of Jews who are self-haters, who have turned against their nation and who are spouting conspiracy theories.”

Mr Silverman then asked the defendant if he was calling him an antisemite, to which Mr Husain responded: “Yes.”

Mr Husain also baselessly accused Campaign Against Antisemitism of being set up and funded by a former Israeli diplomat.

Throughout the proceedings, Mr Husain was repeatedly reminded by the chairperson to conduct himself in an appropriate manner. In one instance, the tribunal panel addressed the defendant directly and accused him of “bordering on being abusive to Mr Silverman at times.”

Mr Husain appealed the decision of the SDT to the High Court, where he was represented by barrister Franck Magennis, on the instruction of UK-Qatari law firm Five Pillars Law.

In his judgment, Mr Justice Chamberlain ruled that in addition to Mr Husain’s hostility on the basis of race or religion, “there was clearly a bullying element and puerile and crude sexual references.” He found no fault with the SDT for finding that Mr Husain showed “no contrition” and that he had been unduly combative during the proceedings.

Concluding, Mr Justice Chamberlain ruled: “In my judgment, the Tribunal explained adequately why it had concluded that no lesser sanction than striking off would suffice. In essence, it was because, having considered all the evidence and formed clear impressions about Mr Husain’s motivations at the time of the misconduct and his attitude at the time of the hearing, it was not satisfied that a lesser sanction would protect the public from a repetition of his behaviour.”

A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “The High Court has made the right decision. Farrukh Najeeb Husain’s posts were vile, there was no evidence of remorse for his actions, and in the words of Mr Justice Chamberlain, ‘No lesser sanction than striking off would suffice.’ The SRA is vindicated in its decision to bring this case in the first place to restore confidence in the legal profession, and we were pleased to be able to contribute expert evidence at the initial hearing in order to inform the tribunal. There must be zero tolerance for bigotry in the legal profession.”

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New report shows alarming increase in anti-Zionist antisemitic incidents

A new report shows an alarming increase in the use of anti-Zionist rhetoric in antisemitic incidents in the UK.

According to the report by CST, 1,533 out of a total of 3,528 reported incidents in 2024 included explicitly anti-Zionist sentiment alongside anti-Jewish rhetoric or targeting. This number accounts for 43% of reported incidents, up from 31% in 2023.

Additionally, language relating to the Israel-Hamas conflict was reported in 52% of cases, a significant rise from 43% in 2023 and 15% in 2022.

The report outlined a range of disturbing incidents, including 2,892 cases of abusive behaviour, 201 incidents of assault, 250 threats, 27 cases of mass-produced antisemitic literature and 157 instances of damage and desecration. Alarmingly, for the second year in a row, almost a fifth – 16% – of the recorded incidents involved perpetrators under the age of eighteen, indicating the critical need for awareness and preventive measures to stop this trend.

Notably, the report also found that in 22% of reported incidents, children were among the victims.

A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “The CST’s figures reveal a disturbing trend in the role of ‘anti-Zionist’ rhetoric in antisemitism. When 43% of reported antisemitic incidents exhibit anti-Zionist sentiment, it is evident that ‘Zionist’ has become a common proxy word for ‘Jew’. Those who deny this phenomenon are failing to understand contemporary manifestations of antisemitism and are part of the problem. Our police and universities have been failing to stand up to surging anti-Jewish hatred for far too long. It is time to act against hate, before it’s too late.”

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Man who wrote “Hitler has been proved right” pleads guilty and is sentenced following CAA private prosecution

Alun Coleman, 71, who published a comment on social media which read, “Hitler has been proved [sic] right,” was sentenced at court following a private prosecution by Campaign Against Antisemitism that was taken over by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Mr Coleman, of Gainsborough, was sentenced at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court on 11th October 2024, having pleaded guilty to an offence contrary to section 127(1)(a) and (3) of the Communications Act 2003.

The case began as a private prosecution by Campaign Against Antisemitism after the Metropolitan Police failed to identify Mr Coleman during its investigation. The Met therefore decided not to refer the case to the CPS, claiming that there was “not a sufficiently strong evidential case” to pursue it.

It later emerged that Mr Coleman was easily identifiable, given the distinct spelling of his first name and the fact that his full name was displayed on his Facebook account.

Campaign Against Antisemitism applied for a summons, which was granted by the Magistrates’ Court. The case was then referred to the CPS, which decided to take over the prosecution.

Mr Coleman was ordered by the Court to pay a fine, a victim surcharge and prosecution costs.

Stephen Silverman, Director of Investigations and Enforcement at Campaign Against Antisemitism, said: “Alun Coleman’s sentencing marks a victory against those who feel that they can spew Jew-hatred online. When antisemitism crosses the criminal threshold and the authorities fail to deliver justice, we will fight to secure justice ourselves, just as we have done here.

“It should not have been necessary for us to bring a private prosecution, but the failure of the Metropolitan Police to properly investigate this case left us with no alternative. The CPS, to its credit, was only too happy to take over the case and would have done so sooner had the police referred it.

“Those who target Jews should know that ruinous consequences will await them and that propagating hateful rhetoric online does not protect them from the law.”

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Holocaust inverted

Who are the victims of the Holocaust, and who are the perpetuators?

The victims

For some years now, this question has been yet another front in the battle over antisemitism and Jewish identity – and who gets to define them.

Holocaust Memorial Day last week featured another series of skirmishes on this terrain.

Last week, we observed how Good Morning Britain ‘forgot’ to mention that the principal victims of the Holocaust were Jews.

Our post online went viral and the story was covered across national papers, including the Mail, Sun, Metro, Express and Telegraph, as well as GB News and numerous local and international news outlets, and the attention forced ITV to issue an apology, albeit a weak one.

GMB was not the only party to this obfuscation.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, also omitted a certain one-syllable word in her Holocaust commemoration, writing online: “Tonight, I’m lighting a candle to remember all those who were murdered just for being who they were, and to stand against prejudice and hatred today. Never again.”

The irony of this sort of ‘forgetfulness’ on a day of remembrance is not lost on us. Holocaust Memorial Day is first and foremost a day to memorialise the six million Jewish men, women and children murdered by gas, bullet and other means by the Nazis and their collaborators. Its principal lesson is the need to bravely combat antisemitism whenever it arises, including in our own time. That is the real meaning of Never Again.

Given that Britain is currently experiencing the worst antisemitism in living memory, that lesson is more important than ever. Why, then, does our society keep failing to learn it?

The perpetrators

This ‘de-Judification’ of Holocaust remembrance is the first step on the road to Holocaust inversion.

The destination is the accusation that Jews are committing a Holocaust of their own.

We have of course seen and heard such accusations on the streets of London and other cities in Britain and around the world for over a year now. As a society, we have sadly become accustomed to naked antisemitism in our urban centres and the utter indifference of the authorities – the same institutions, civil servants and politicians who rush to organise and attend Holocaust Memorial Day events.

But this year we have also seen the highjacking of Holocaust Memorial Day ceremonies.

In Leicester, for example, an event funded in part by the county and city councils was addressed by a speaker who compared the war against Hamas to the genocide of the Jews at the hands of the Nazis, reportedly provoking Jewish audience-members to walk out.

Meanwhile, in Lowestoft, representatives of the Jewish community were reportedly sidelined at the larger HMD event, where a local councillor mentioned the war in Gaza in his remarks, leaving local Jewish people in disgust.

Worse yet, over in Ireland a Jewish woman was manhandled as she was thrown out of an HMD event, joining other Jews protesting the references to Gaza made by President Michael Higgins, whose very presence at the event had been opposed by the Jewish community. In contrast to the Irish President’s abominable abuse of a commemorative event, King Charles visited Auschwitz for the 80th anniversary of the liberation, capping a long career of support for Holocaust survivors and education.

Meanwhile, in the European Parliament, a far-right Polish politician, Grzegorz Braun, disrupted a moment of silence in memory of Holocaust victims by shouting: “Let’s pray for the victims of the genocide in Gaza!” He had previously courted controversy in the Polish Parliament in 2023 when he extinguished candles on a menorah.

But sometimes this inversion is more subtle.

When, on News Hour with Mark Austin on Sky News, the rolling coverage of Holocaust Memorial Day and the ceremony at Auschwitz was immediately followed by reporting on Gaza, at least twice, was that just a coincidence, or was it the sort of disgraceful editorialising that we have come to expect from Sky?

After all, a mere 6% of British Jews feel that Sky’s coverage in relation to matters of Jewish interest is favourable, and 61% consider it unfavourable. Is it any wonder why?

What about when a Holocaust exhibition is deemed “too political” for Westminster Hall in Parliament, while a stall by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) – one of the organisers behind London’s anti-Israel marches – is apparently fine for the same venue. The Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, has opened an investigation into how permission was refused for the Holocaust exhibition.

It is this trend that the International Definition of Antisemitism has in mind when it observes that comparing Israel to Nazis is antisemitic.

When appropriate, we are calling these incidents out, and we are producing materials to challenge this insidious narrative. Otherwise Britain will forget the true lessons of the Holocaust.

Trainee pharmacist sentenced after action by CAA

A trainee pharmacist was recently sentenced in court for a message that he sent on social media to UCL’s Israel student society, after Campaign Against Antisemitism worked with the society to report the incident to the police and ensure that action was taken.

Mohammad Al Accad, 24, also known as Suhail, pleaded guilty to sending a grossly offensive communication at Manchester Magistrates’ Court. The charge related to a message that he sent to the UCL Israel Society which read: “F*** you and your people, hope we kill hundreds more in the coming days.”

The message was sent on 7th October 2023 in response to a statement published by the Society condemning Hamas’ barbaric attacks in Israel on the same day. During the attacks, terrorists murdered some 1,200 people and took over 250 hostages.

We reported the contents of the message to the police after speaking with the victim. The police offered to facilitate an apology from Mr Al Accad to the victim in lieu of a prosecution, which was rejected. We also reported Mr Al Accad to the General Pharmaceutical Council, which regulates pharmacists.

Mr Al Accad was identified by Campaign Against Antisemitism and arrested following a police investigation. During his police interview, he admitted to sending the message, saying that he had done so in reaction to recent events.

Despite his admission, the defendant initially claimed that his message was not grossly offensive.

Mr Al Accad was ordered to pay a fine of £675, which was uplifted from a Band B fine to a Band C fine due to the racially/religiously aggravated nature of the offence. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £270 and £85 towards prosecution costs.

Mohammad Al Accad’s sentencing marks a victory against those who feel that they can target Jewish students with antisemitic hatred. When antisemitism crosses the criminal threshold, we will do whatever it takes to secure justice. Let this verdict send a clear message to those who target Jews. Ruinous consequences await them.

If any students are concerned about antisemitism on campus or need assistance, they can call us on confidence on 0330 822 0321 or e-mail [email protected].

Do British people care about Jewish fears?

Last week, we published ground-breaking polling of the Jewish community highlighting the concerns of British Jews about their future, the criminal justice system, figure like Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, the media, universities and more.

Some of the findings include:

  • Less than half of British Jews (43%) feel welcome in the UK.
  • An alarming eight in ten British Jews think that the police do not do enough to protect them; and only 16% of British Jews are confident that if they reported an antisemitic crime, it would be prosecuted if there was strong enough evidence.
  • British Jews consider Islamists to be the most serious threat (95%), but more than nine in ten British Jews do not believe that the authorities do enough to protect the Jewish community from them.
  • Nearly seven in ten British Jews – 69% – consider coverage by The Guardian of matters of Jewish interest to be unfavourable.
  • Nine in ten British Jews said that if anybody in their family were choosing a university, antisemitism would be a factor in their choice.
  • A minuscule 2% of British Jews consider the fiercely anti-Zionist Neturei Karta sect to be representative of their views on Israel.

The full results can be read here.

Subsequently, we decided to ask ordinary British people what they thought about some of our findings.

Channel 4’s “European Jews are lying scumbags” participant

If you turn on Channel 4 this evening, you will see Go Back To Where You Came From, a new reality television programme that features four people with anti-immigration views and two people who are pro-immigration, travelling migrant routes from Somalia and Syria to the UK.

Among the participants is Bushra Shaikh, an ‘anti-racism’ activist (naturally) and former contestant on The Apprentice, who is on the pro-immigration side on the show.

A glimpse at her social media activity, however, reveals that Ms Shaikh does not mince words when it comes it Jews:

  • “European Jews changed their names to hide their origins in order to claim supremacy over Palestinian Arab lands. These people are the biggest charlatans on this planet. Bunch of lying scumbags.”
  • “One state solution. Palestine. And send this European problem back to f***ing Europe.”
  • “You can be super anti Muslim, you can talk about Muslims but as soon as you talk about Jews, you get cancelled. Why are they so protected?”
  • “Doesn’t the Talmud teach you ‘only the Jew is human and the rest of us are Goyims.’ So I believe Jews are taught to hate everyone. Nice try though.”
  • “I said Jews, now ‘they’re’ after me. But thank you to everyone, including the pro-Palestine, anti Netanyahu Jewish community that have reached out with support. Humanity will win [sic].”
  • “I’m sorry but why are people losing jobs and more for even mentioning Israel and Zionism. We can talk about Christians, Hindus and Muslims but the moment Jew is mentioned-prepare to have your career ruined.”
  • “I’m sorry but there are not enough Jewish people/Israelis speaking up against the massacre in Gaza. And that’s telling the world they are supporters of genocide. See how that works.”
  • “Axel Rudakubana allegedly downloaded Al Qaeda documents. Al Qaeda funds have known links to Israel. Israel helped kill British kids in Southport. Israel kills kids in Palestine. Israel kills kids in Lebanon. Israel kills kids in Syria. Now the UK.”

When we brought this social media activity to Channel 4’s attention, they told us: “Bushra is a contributor on Go Back to Where You Came From, and is one of the six opinionated individuals who, throughout the series, discuss immigration and have their differing viewpoints challenged. The series will be compliant with the Ofcom Broadcasting Code. Channel 4 are not responsible for contributors’ personal social media accounts.”

Channel 4’s agenda here is pretty clear: pit anti-immigration xenophobes against virtuous pro-immigration activists. But if Channel 4 wants to show the unvarnished views of one side, why not do the same for the other? Channel 4 is sanitising Bushra Shaikh to make her more sympathetic, instead of revealing her as the hypocrite that she is, speaking in favour of immigration while insulting “European Jews”.

Channel 4’s insistence that Ms Shaikh remains in the programme while hiding her real opinions from viewers is telling. Portraying those with antisemitic views as virtuous while hiding their antisemitism is the exact opposite of what we should be doing: exposing and ostracising.

We have called for a boycott of the show.

Wiki-poison

When we want to know something, we turn to Wikipedia.

It is the first port of call for information on any topic, especially in the English language but in many other languages besides.

Anyone can become an editor on Wikipedia, although some topics are restricted to those with a record of neutral and responsible editing across the online encyclopaedia.

But as a collaborative and largely non-hierarchical endeavour, one sometimes wonders who is policing what gets written on Wikipedia, and can you really be sure that it is accurate?

When it comes to the Jewish state and matters relating to the Jewish community, many of us will know that what we read is not always rooted in fact; and while one of the ‘five pillars’ of Wikipedia — its guiding principles — states that “Wikipedia is written from a neutral point of view,” that is too often not the case.

We have long been calling out Wikipedia for failing to implement their own rules against obsessive anti-Israel editors who hijack entries relating to matters of Jewish concern.

It was therefore very welcome news when it was recently announced that bad-faith contributors are finally facing disciplinary action by the Wikipedia arbitration board, including topic bans that would prevent them from editing articles relating to the Jewish state.

The problem is not just on English Wikipedia. There has also been reporting in France about Wikipedia editors trying to cooperative in an effort to manipulate content on the website for the worse.

At Campaign Against Antisemitism, Wikipedia is an issue that we take very seriously, given how many people across the world rely on it for what they believe is authoritative information. We will continue to do whatever we can to ensure that Wikipedia lives up to its promise of accuracy and neutrality.

People sometimes ask us, in their more despairing moments, whether what we do makes a difference. After all, we all know that antisemitism is not going to disappear, and battling this hatred can sometimes feel Sisyphean, especially over the past sixteen months.

But when one of our biggest television channels is forced to issue an on-air apology for forgetting that Jews were the victims of the Holocaust, because of a story read by multitudes in newspapers and online, it makes a difference.

And when a trainee pharmacist and his family, friends and community learn that there are severe consequences to trolling Jews, and Jewish students know that someone is there to help them, it makes a difference.

We may not win every battle, but we will not surrender the field; and those battles that we do win help us advance, however gradually, to a better future for British Jews.

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Trainee pharmacist sentenced after writing “hope we kill hundreds more of you” to Israel student society following action by CAA

A trainee pharmacist was sentenced in court yesterday for a message he sent on social media to a university’s Israel student society.

Mohammad Al Accad, 24, also known as Suhail, pleaded guilty to sending a grossly offensive communication at Manchester Magistrates’ Court. The charge related to a message that he sent to the Israel Society at University College London which read: “F*** you and your people, hope we kill hundreds more in the coming days.”

The message was sent on 7th October 2023 in response to a statement published by the society condemning Hamas’ barbaric attacks in Israel on the same day. During the attacks, terrorists murdered some 1,200 people and took over 250 hostages.

Campaign Against Antisemitism reported the contents of the message to the police, Prevent and Mr Accad’s employer after speaking with the victim.

The police offered to facilitate an apology from Mr Al Accad to the victim in lieu of a prosecution, which was rejected.

We also reported the defendant to the General Pharmaceutical Council.

Mr Al Accad was identified by Campaign Against Antisemitism and arrested following a police investigation. During his police interview, he admitted to sending the message, saying he had done so in reaction to recent events.

Despite his admission, the defendant initially claimed that his message was not grossly offensive.

Mr Al Accad was ordered to pay a fine of £675, which was uplifted from a Band B fine to a Band C fine due to the racially/religiously aggravated nature of the offence. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £270 and £85 towards prosecution costs.

Stephen Silverman, Director of Investigations and Enforcement at Campaign Against Antisemitism, said: “Mohammad Al Accad’s sentencing marks a victory against those who feel that they can target Jewish students with antisemitic hatred. When antisemitism crosses the criminal threshold, we will do whatever it takes to secure justice. Let this verdict send a clear message to those who target Jews. Ruinous consequences await them.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s analysis of Home Office statistics shows that an average of just under nine hate crimes are directed at Jews every single day in England and Wales, with Jews more than twelve times likelier to be targets of hate crimes than any other faith group.

If any students are concerned about antisemitism on campus or need assistance, they can call us on 0330 822 0321, or e-mail [email protected].

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Was Jesus a Jew, or something else?

As Christmas approaches, activists are gearing up for their annual attempts to airbrush Jews out of the story of the birth of Jesus.

This year, those attempts even included a nativity scene at The Vatican.

The scene, titled “Nativity of Bethlehem 2024”, featured a bay Jesus clad in a keffiyeh. Designed by artists in conjunction with the PLO, it was accompanied by a plaque presented to the Pope by children in the presence of representatives from the Palestinian Authority.

The Pope was photographed at the scene, which was briefly displayed in the Paul VI Hall – as opposed to in St Peter’s Square, which is where the main nativity scene is located – before being removed without explanation following an outcry.

There have also been reports of Protestant denominations in the UK promoting this sort of propaganda.

Historical revisionism has become a new annual Christmas tradition for Palestine activists.

But whether Pope Francis or the Baptists or specific churches here and there like it or not, Jesus was a Jew from Judea. The notion that he was not Jewish or belonged to another ethnic group is ahistorical nonsense and offensive to one of the founding stories of Christianity.

These pitiful attempts to airbrush Jews out of this story undermines interfaith relations and is a betrayal of Christianity itself.

How sad that the festival of goodwill is highjacked in this way.

When Santa Claus visited an anti-Israel demonstration

’Tis the season to be jolly.

But that’s not easy when there’s so much antisemitism around.

So we sent Santa Claus to an anti-Israel demonstration to find out who’s been good this year, and who’s been bad.

Watch what happened when Santa Claus visited an anti-Israel demonstration here.

For those wondering, we have reported the man in the opening clip to the Metropolitan Police Service and have provided his name and other information.

Fighting antisemitism on Chanukah

Chanukah is a celebration of Jewish empowerment and the fight against antisemitism.

Here are eight measures that we have been calling on the Government and other authorities, this Chanukah, to introduce to aid in that fight.

  1. Over half (59%) of the British public would be less likely to visit a city centre if they knew a large Palestine march was due to happen, according to our polling conducted by YouGov. It is time for these marches to stop. We are asking for the Home Secretary to close loopholes in our legislation that permit weekly anti-Israel marches; allow police to infer that marches led by the same organisers will likely repeat illegality; remove the limitations to definitions of “serious disruption to the life of the community”; and more. Antisemitic hate crime is skyrocketing in Britain. It is time for a change in direction.
  2. At the beginning of the year, the previous Government heeded calls by Campaign Against Antisemitism and others to proscribe Hizb ut-Tahrir, which praised Hamas’ barbaric attacks on 7th October 2023. But there is more to do. The Home Secretary must urgently proscribe the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Ansar Allah (the Houthi Rebels), and certain Palestinian terrorist organisations that were involved in or claimed involvement in the 7th October Hamas-led attacks in Israel.
  3. Jews are more than twelve times more likely to be targets of hate crimes than any other faith group, according to our analysis of the latest Home Office statistics. But how many of these incidents end in arrests and prosecutions? The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) must break down hate crimes prosecution statistics by category. A full 95% of British Jews believe that the CPS should be doing this, according to our polling.
  4. British campuses were already hotbeds of antisemitism before October 2023, and the situation since then has only become worse. Universities need to take a proactive approach to dealing with antisemitism. Among other things, we are asking for universities to reconfirm their commitment to the International (IHRA) Definition of Antisemitism and add it to disciplinary procedures and codes of conduct; and designate a member of staff responsible for tackling antisemitism on campus.
  5. Over the past year, campuses have become venues for the glorification of antisemitic terrorism and support for groups opposed to Britain and our values. With nearly one in ten (9%) of 18-24 year olds having a favourable view of Hamas, according to our polling conducted by YouGov, universities need to ensure that incidents on campus are being assessed for potential criminality. The Department for Education must obligate universities to report antisemitic incidents to the police and send universities legal advice on the requirement to balance freedom of speech with their obligations under the Equality Act 2010.
  6. Our police forces are vital in ensuring that those whose antisemitism crosses a criminal threshold face consequences for their actions. Police officers must be empowered with the right tools to combat antisemitic hate crime, including by the establishment of a Single Point of Contact within each police force to facilitate alerting and monitoring of antisemitic hate crime and identify training needs, and more.
  7. Palestine Action is a criminal enterprise operating freely in the UK and terrorising the Jewish community. Over the past year, we have seen Palestine Action escalate its campaign of harassment through acts of intimidation, including carrying out a mock beheading and vandalising the offices of Jewish charities. Palestine Action must be outlawed.
  8. Earlier this year, it was announced by the Foreign Secretary that the Government would restore funding to UNRWA. That funding had been paused by the previous Government earlier in the year due to allegations that a number of its staff were involved in the 7th October Hamas attacks. UNRWA teachers have glorified terrorism and some UNRWA personnel have been found to be members of Hamas, and UNRWA schools and premises have been used as storage facilities for munitions and launching pads for rockets. The agency’s educational materials have long been accused of promoting antisemitism and encouraging hate. The resumption of funding to UNRWA by the UK was an obviously controversial decision. We are therefore asking the Foreign Secretary, in the interests of transparency and consistency, to disclose the legal advice that was sought in deciding to restore funding to UNRWA.

Chanukah is the story of how the Jewish people fought and overcame antisemitism.

In a modern democratic country like Britain, we can only make advances in this fight with at least some support from the state.

The measures that we are calling for – some of which we have been advocating for over many years – are essential, and we encourage you to write to or meet with your local MP to promote support for these policy changes.

We are prepared for 2025

2025 is, sadly, shaping up to be another challenging year for British Jews. But we will be there, continuing the fight.

Here are some recent developments and successes:

Michael Derham, who shared antisemitic conspiracy theories online, was sentenced at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court following a private prosecution by Campaign Against Antisemitism. Mr Derham used his X account to express opinions about Jews that included: “Why are you allowing Jews to manipulate our politics?”; and “Mind you Jewish people are showing themselves to be easy to hate, especially their politicians, diplomats and media. Makes you question all the myths they have spread about themselves.” We brought the private prosecution against Mr Derham after the Metropolitan Police told us that “no suspect was identified” in its investigation and that it would therefore not refer the case to the Crown Prosecution Service.

The parent of a fourteen-year-old identifiably Jewish boy has reported that his son was assaulted with threats of rape issued against the boy’s mother. The alleged incident occurred at the junction of Bury Old Road and Singleton Road in Manchester earlier this month, at around midnight. The boy, who was with a group of friends of similar age, was said to have been approached by a man around the age of twenty. The father of the victim claims that the man questioned him about their religious affiliation and, upon confirming that they were Jewish, asked about their views on the Hamas-Israel war. When the group of boys provided neutral answers, the man then allegedly attempted to strike the boy, knocking his hat off. It was at this point that a threat of rape against the boy’s mother was said to have been made. It is understood that the police were called and arrived at the scene roughly an hour and a half after the incident. The father of the boy expressed concern to Campaign Against Antisemitism over the police’s handling of the matter, and two weeks after the incident, the family is allegedly still yet to receive any communication from the police or external authorities. We are continuing to support the family.

You may recall that the Rio Cinema in Dalston cancelled London’s biggest Eurovision screening because Israel was participating in the competition. We submitted a complaint to the Charity Commission, which has been upheld. We are grateful that the Commission took this issue seriously and has issued guidance to the charity so that this does not happen again. Prejudice has no place in the arts.

Following our complaint, the Charity Commission has taken action against Millat-e-Islamia, Islamic, Cultural & Education Association. A video of Muhammad Adil Shahzad, who, according to the Charity’s Facebook page, is a resident imam at the Charity, appeared to feature him telling his audience not to use “Google, Facebook or Sheikh Twitter” because “nine out of ten websites are either run by Qadianis, or they are run by the Jews.” After reviewing our complaint, the Commission agreed that there was failure by the trustees in the administration of the Charity. Jew-hate is a poison that has no place in British society, least of all from registered charities.

Two teenage girls have been sentenced after carrying out a series of shocking attacks over the course of half an hour in Stamford Hill last December. In the first incident, the pair attempted to take money from a woman. One of them attempted to strike her but missed, allowing the woman to escape. Ten minutes later, the girls demanded money from a twelve-year-old girl. They only released her and walked off after realising she had no money. In a matter of minutes, the teenagers had accosted four eleven-year-old girls, hurling antisemitic insults and demanding money. Frightened, the girls ran off, using a pedestrian crossing on the High Road to get away. The pair pursued one of the girls, eventually grabbing her arm, intimidating her and stealing her lunch bag. Moments later, in an incident captured on video, a woman was viciously assaulted by the girls after the pair demanded money from her. The girls struck the woman’s back, took her phone from her hand and ripped off her wig, which she wore for religious reasons. The woman was thrown to the ground where she was then kicked into unconsciousness. The two girls were both found guilty of attempted robbery, religiously-aggravated harassment and ABH, with one of the defendants also found guilty of attempted theft. Despite all that, the girls have not received a custodial sentence. Apparently beating a Jewish woman unconscious and stealing from her as part of a spree of antisemitic robberies is not enough to land you in jail as a minor. Instead, both of the girls were handed a Rehabilitation Order, in addition to an order to undertake a rehabilitation activity requirement for 30 and 45 hours. They were also placed under curfew with an electronic tag for three months.

A Tower Hamlets school’s “hunger strike” for Gaza, which encouraged children as young as eleven to go without food, has been called off following reporting by the JC and subsequent action by Campaign Against Antisemitism and others, including our demand for Tower Hamlets Council to investigate the matter. This unethical initiative should never have been allowed to go ahead. Now the school is reportedly proceeding with a non-uniform day to raise funds in Gaza. But all this is only the tip of the iceberg. One mother of a Jewish child said: “This week my kid told me they would be ‘beaten up’ if anyone found out they were Jewish. I have sleepless nights worrying.” It is unconscionable that Jewish families should be made to feel fearful for their children in this way.

This is just a selection of the recent cases and incidents that we have been working on. The situation for British Jews is dire, but we will continue to do everything that we can to defend the Jewish community in the coming year.

Why did you march?

The March Against Antisemitism in London drew tens of thousands of people from the Jewish community and their allies across Britain.

We caught up with so many of you who attended to find out what motivated you to march.

This is what you told us.

You can also catch up on the full speeches by our Chief Executive Gideon Falter, Major Andrew Fox, heroic Druze nurse Lorin Khizran, Rev. Hayley Ace, and Founder of Our Fight Mark Birbeck, as well as the performances of Cantor Steven Leas and Israeli rock icon Aviv Geffen.

The photographs from the March Against Antisemitism are available here.

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CAA private prosecution leads to conviction and sentence for man who shared antisemitic conspiracy theories online

Michael Derham, who shared antisemitic conspiracy theories online, was sentenced at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court on Friday following a private prosecution by Campaign Against Antisemitism.

Mr Derham, of Newcastle upon Tyne, pleaded guilty last month and was convicted of five offences contrary to section 127(1)(a) and (3) of the Communications Act 2003 after he made a series of posts on his X account in October 2023.

The posts were exposed on X by Steve Cooke, who regularly speaks out against antisemitism online.

Mr Derham used his X account to express opinions about Jews that included:

  • “Why are you allowing Jews to manipulate our politics?”
  • “Western politicians have all been bought or blackmailed by Israel, Mossad or Jewish lobby [sic].”
  • “How much of what we’ve been told about Jews and Israel since WWII has been lies/propaganda? We should stop believing it now.”
  • “Mind you Jewish people are showing themselves to be easy to hate, especially their politicians, diplomats and media. Makes you question all the myths they have spread about themselves.”
  • “We need to know who in politics and media/commentariat has Jewish connections like [Prime Minister Keir] Starmer. We can then ignore them.”

According to the International Definition of Antisemitism, “Making stereotypical allegations about Jews as such or the power of Jews as collective, such as the myth about a world Jewish conspiracy or of Jews controlling the media, economy, government or other societal institutions,” is an example of antisemitism.

Campaign Against Antisemitism brought the private prosecution against Mr Derham after the Metropolitan Police told us that “no suspect was identified” in its investigation and that it would therefore not refer the case to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Mr Derham was sentenced to a Category D fine of £600 and ordered to pay £400 towards prosecution costs, to be paid at £100 per month.

The Court noted Mr Derham’s early guilty plea, apparent remorse and good character when determining his sentence. The Court also decided that there was no need for greater intervention due to his age and health difficulties. His limited income was also taken into account.

Campaign Against Antisemitism would like to thank Edmonds Marshall McMahon (EMM) for its work on the case and Shada Mellor, of Trinity Chambers, who was instructed by EMM.

Stephen Silverman, Director of Investigations and Enforcement at Campaign Against Antisemitism, said: “Michael Derham’s sentencing marks a victory against those who feel that they can openly spew Jew-hatred. When antisemitism crosses the criminal threshold and the authorities fail to deliver justice, we will fight to secure justice ourselves, just as we have done here.

“It should not be necessary for us to take measures such as this, but the failure of the criminal justice system to provide adequate deterrence against rampant antisemitism leaves us with little alternative. Mr Derham’s repeated parroting of conspiratorial rhetoric about Jews is despicable and could not go by unchallenged. Those who target Jews should know that ruinous consequences will await them.”

Image credit: Steve Cooke

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If I am not for myself, why should others be for me?

The future for Jewish people in Britain is under threat, but if we don’t show that we care, why should anyone else?

We cannot expect the general public, the media, the authorities or the Government to take heed of the Jewish community’s cries if we do not make the effort to show the strength of our feeling regarding the unprecedented levels of antisemitism that have permeated every aspect of our lives.

If we do not tell them how we feel, how are they to know?

We have a responsibility to make ourselves heard.

If you have not yet joined the thousands who have already signed up to march at 13:00 this Sunday, 8th December in central London, please do so now and be part of this critical and historic event.

We will be gathering from 12:00 for a prompt 13:00 start.

You can sign up for the march here.

Why are we marching?

We are marching because these sorts of incidents – all from the past ten days – have become unacceptably commonplace.

  • A fourteen-year-old identifiably Jewish girl in Stamford Hill was reportedly hospitalised after being struck in the face with a glass bottle.
  • The Trades Union Congress called on all trade union members – including nurses, teachers and journalists – to “wear something red, green, black or a Palestinian keffiyeh to visibly show solidarity” at their places of work, resulting in BBC staff reportedly handing in their National Union of Journalists memberships.
  • A leading Jewish restaurant critic quit The Observer after 28 years, saying: “For years now being Jewish, however non-observant, and working for the company has been uncomfortable, at times excruciating.”
  • Ten teenagers reportedly attacked a TFL bus carrying pupils from JFS, a Jewish school in North London, in an incident in which four teenagers boarded the bus screaming “F* Israel, nobody likes you! F* off you b!” and throwing things at the JFS students, with seemingly no assistance provided to the victims by the driver or other passengers.
  • An experienced Jewish member of staff at the BBC has revealed that antisemitism has become “normalised” at the broadcaster.
  • It was reported that Counter Terrorism Police rightly felt the need to ban a video game in which users play as terrorists invading Israel to murder “Zionists”.
  • Anti-Israel activists outside the University of Oxford called for intifada, made comparisons between the only Jewish state and terrorists and engaged in genocidal chanting. Meanwhile what happened inside the Oxford Union, the University’s debating society, was indescribably appalling.
  • A Jewish leading figure in British arts resigned “from all voluntary positions within UK arts institutions” after accusing the art world of becoming host to “vile antisemitic sentiments…that are not isolated incidents but part of a broader culture that seeks to marginalise and dehumanise Jews.”
  • Anti-Israel protesters tried to force their way into Downing Street.
  • An academic at King’s College London allegedly attempted to “indoctrinate” her students with Hamas propaganda.

Anybody who does not think that antisemitism is a problem in Britain has their head in the sand.

The question for the Jewish community and our allies is whether we are willing to march this weekend to fight for our future.

It is not just about the Jewish community

It is essential that we march, not just for the Jewish future but for the future of our country.

We must take a stand against the growing extremism, radicalisation and support for terrorist groups that we are seeing on our streets, campuses and online, because it does not just affect the Jews.

As our Chief Executive, Gideon Falter, wrote in The Times last week: “Woe betide us if we believe this to be a passing nightmare, or an affliction that will affect the Jewish community alone and spare the rest. As the late Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks warned, ‘The hate that begins with Jews never ends with Jews.’”

The full article can be read here.

He also wrote in The Sunday Telegraph yesterday, pointing out that all of the activism that we are seeing is doing nothing to affect events in the Middle East but having a considerable, adverse impact on the fabric of our society right here. He asked: “Has this ‘activism’ done anything to change things in Israel, Gaza, Lebanon or Iran? Or are they just changing the face of our society over here?”

Th full article can be read here.

The future of British Jewry and our country’s tradition of tolerance and decency is not guaranteed. We owe it to our ourselves to fight for our future.

March with us.

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“F*** Israel, nobody likes you,” reportedly shouted at Jewish children on bus

Yesterday, Jewish children were reportedly targeted with antisemitic abuse on a bus on their way home from a North London school.

It is understood that two Jewish Free School (JFS) buses were attacked by ten teenagers from another school. Four teenagers also were said to have boarded the bus whereafter they swore at and filmed the Jewish students. They also reportedly threw rocks and rubbish at the bus after leaving the vehicle.

One student attested that the teenagers boarding the bus shouted at them: “F*** Israel, nobody likes you. F*** off you b******.”

Of the incident, he said: “I was sitting at the front of the bus and everyone was completely terrified and hiding under our seats. It was really scary.”

It was reported that no one offered any help to the Jewish children during the incident, nor did anyone call the police.

The alleged attack comes just days after reports of a man throwing glass bottles at a group of identifiably Jewish girls elsewhere in North London, resulting in the hospitalisation of a fourteen-year-old child.

A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “This incident did not take place in a vacuum. Over the past year, we have repeatedly warned of the dangerous consequences of Jew-hate going unchecked. This incident comes only a few days after a visibly Jewish 14-year-old girl was hospitalised after having a glass bottle thrown at her. The simple truth is that our streets are no longer safe for British Jews and their children. Is it any wonder that 69% of British Jews are less likely to show visible signs of their Judaism in public, according to our polling? It is time for arrests and those who break the law must face consequences.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s analysis of Home Office statistics shows that an average of just under nine hate crimes are directed at Jews every single day in England and Wales, with Jews more than twelve times likelier to be targets of hate crimes than any other faith group.

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The wheels of justice turn slowly. CAA is here to give them a push.

We would like to update you on a number of cases that we have working on.

You may recall this video that was posted back in March and circulated on TikTok. It threatened violence against a named individual, saying that he was being hunted to “dish out the justice” and that once found, they would “drag him away from his family in front of his family”.

We reported the individual to counterterrorism police and commenced a private prosecution. We can now confirm that the CPS has taken up the case and the individual in the video has been charged with communications and terrorism offences and is awaiting trial.

In another case, last October, a social media user published these posts in the wake of a terrorist rocket that fell short and killed people in a Gaza hospital. The explosion was blamed by the BBC and other media outlets on Israel, fuelling antisemitic rhetoric like this. Apologies from the media, even after the damage was done, were few and far between.

One of the posts showed images of long knives. The posts threatened that “There won’t be a f***ing Jew walking the streets of London if this carries on!”

We argued that there is a direct link between inflammatory, unverified, incorrect reporting on Israel and this kind of reaction. We reported the case to the police and, after a considerable period of inaction by the police, we can now confirm that the individual has been charged.

The LGBTQ+ nightclub Adonis announced in its Instagram bio that “definitely no f***ing Zionists” were welcome at its club nights. The promoters also claimed that “Zionism has no place in queer spaces”. After an outcry, the bio was amended to read “no genocidal maniacs plz xx.”

We consider that Adonis’ ban on “Zionists” entering its events may breach criminal, equality, and licensing laws. We wrote to the co-Directors of DL Food and Drink Limited, the company that holds the licence for the premises, The Cause, that hosts Adonis at Silver Building in the Docklands. The company has now announced that Adonis’ event on 7th September will not take place on its premises.

Whilst Adonis sought to backtrack on its inflammatory online comments, the harm has already been done and our lawyers are examining various potential courses of action closely.

There have been several instances of Jewish people being actively or implicitly excluded from LGBTQ+ spaces and parades, and we will always act to ensure that all spaces — especially those that pride themselves on their “inclusivity” — understand that ostracising Jews carries consequences.

In addition, we continue to write to venues alerting them to Reginald D. Hunter’s recent conduct at the Edinburgh Fringe and his social media activity since then, and we are pleased to report that several have already cancelled his bookings. We are continuing to work with the victims and our lawyers are examining legal options.

These are only a selection of the cases that we are working on, and they represent only a fraction of the matters that we have reported to the police. These prosecutions are likely to take months, if not years, but we will see them through to the end.

Doing our part to help the hostages

We were delighted by the news today that one of the hostages, Qaid Farhan Al-Kadi, has been rescued from Gaza.

In just over a week’s time, 7th September 2024 will mark eleven months since Hamas abducted 251 Israelis and other nationals from Israel and took them into captivity in Gaza.

Of those 251 hostages, 117 have been returned alive, and 30 bodies have been repatriated. Over 100 still remain, including four who have been held by Hamas since before October 2023.

In a month’s time, on 7th October 2024, we will be marking the one-year anniversary of the massacre perpetrated by Hamas. We must do whatever we can to ensure that no hostage is still in captivity by that date.

That is why we are launching a campaign encouraging everyone to write to their MP to educate our Parliamentarians — including the hundreds of new MPs — about this issue and put the hostages back on the agenda.

You can write in two easy steps.

First, download this Word document, which contains a draft letter that you are welcome to use or amend as you please before sending either as a hard-copy letter, or as an e-mail attachment, or simply as text in the body of an e-mail. Remember to add your MP’s name and your name and postcode so that they know that you are a constituent and that they should respond.

Second, find out who your MP is and how to contact them, by clicking here.

If you get particularly supportive or hostile responses, you are welcome to share them with us by forwarding them to [email protected].

For those interested, we recently interviewed Eylon Keshet, a relative of the Bibas family, for our podcast. It has been over ten months since Hamas terrorists kidnapped Yarden and Shiri Bibas and their children, baby Kfir and Ariel. You can listen here.

Book now to hear Stories from Students

Since 7th October, Jewish student life on campus has been turned on its head.

CAA has therefore brought together current students and recent graduates from universities across the country to share their stories and answer questions from prospective students and their parents, as well as current students and other interested members of the Jewish community.

This event, taking place at 18:30 on Thursday 5th September in North London, is an important opportunity to hear directly from Jewish students.

It is also a chance for us to come together to show our support and solidarity with those who faced this new generation of hate head-on.

Booking is essential.

British Jews, how are you?

Do want to say your piece on antisemitism in Britain for one of our videos? If British Jews do not speak out about how we are feeling right now, we are less likely to get the action from the authorities that we need.

If you want to speak to camera or would like more information, please e-mail us now at [email protected] with the subject: “British Jews”.

Are you a medical professional, or a recent patient?

We are collecting testimonies on antisemitism in the medical field.

We are interested to hear from doctors and other medical practitioners, staff, patients and anyone else who has encountered antisemitism in medicine over the past year.

If you have been affected, please e-mail us confidentially at [email protected] with the subject: “Medical”.

Become a CAA Student Ambassador!

Are you a student at university in 2024-2025, or do you know somebody who is? CAA’s Student Ambassador programme is an exciting opportunity to work with us in a prestigious year-long initiative.

Student Ambassadors will work closely with our Education Officer and wider team to help us to expose and challenge the rising tide of antisemitism overwhelming UK university campuses.

The contributions of our students is more important now than ever before to the fight against antisemitism.

For further information and details about the programme please visit antisemitism.org/become-a-student-ambassador.

We are grateful to all of you who have answered our invitation to speak on camera about antisemitism or our call for evidence of antisemitism in the medical profession, or applied to become a Student Ambassador or have RSVPed to our Stories from Students event. It is only with the active help of the Jewish community and our allies that we can continue to raise awareness of antisemitism, confront it and deliver justice.

All of the legal cases that we are working on are likely to take months, if not years, before they reach an outcome. But, no matter how slowly the wheels of justice turn, CAA will be there to give them a push.

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Ivy League student sentenced to 21 months in prison over threatening antisemitic messages

A student at the Ivy League university, Cornell, who pleaded guilty to posting a series of threatening, antisemitic messages on a campus message board last year, has been sentenced to 21 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

Engineering student Patrick Dai, 22, used several different usernames including “Kill jews,” “Hamas Soldier,” and “Sieg Heil” to post a series of messages.

In one message he wrote: “Watch out pig Jews. jihad is coming. nowhere is safe. your synagogue will become graveyards. your women will be raped and your children will be beheaded. glory to Allah [sic].”

He also threatened to “shoot up” the University’s kosher dining hall, and described Jews as “rats” who “need to be eliminated”. Mr Dai said that he was going to “bring an assault rifle to campus and shoot all you pig Jews.” He also threatened to “slit the throat” of any Jewish men whom he saw on campus, to “rape and kill Jewish women” and to “behead Jewish babies in front of their parents,” the court heard.

With around 2,500 students who identify as Jewish, Cornell reportedly has the highest number of Jewish students of any Ivy League university.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department declared in court that every student had “the right to pursue their education without fear of violence based on who they are…or how they worship.”

She said that “antisemitic threats of violence” like Mr Dai’s “vicious and graphic threats” violated that right. The sentencing, stated Clarke, “reaffirms that we will hold accountable those who violently threaten and intimidate others based on their religious practice or background”.

Before imposing the sentence, the court had determined that Mr Dai’s actions constituted a hate crime. US Attorney Carla B. Freedman said that Mr Dai’s threats had “terrorised the Cornell campus community for days” and had “shattered the community’s sense of safety.”

Craig L. Tremaroli, the agent from the FBI’s Albany Field Office in charge of investigating the threats, said that Mr Dai’s actions served as “a disturbing reminder of the terrifying hatred our Jewish communities encounter.”

He added that it was “thanks to the strong partnerships” between the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, the New York State Police and the Cornell University Police Department, that Mr Dai was quickly identified and charged, and that he had remained in custody.

Last year, in response to Mr Dai’s hateful messages, police were stationed at Cornell’s Jewish Centre and Rabbi Ari Weiss, the Executive Director of Hillel at Cornell, said that the Jewish community interpreted the online posts as “a call for our genocide.”

Following his arrest, Mr Dai was diagnosed with autism, which his lawyer, Lisa Peebles, claimed, explained his crime.

“He believed, wrongly, that the posts would prompt a ‘blowback’ against what he perceived as anti-Israel media coverage and pro-Hamas sentiment on campus,” Ms Peebles wrote in pre-trial court papers adding that his “flawed logic” was a result of his autism.”

She wrote that he was “depressed” and “struggled with autism that had not been diagnosed yet”. She claimed that he “had a breakdown and came up with this idea to do these posts.”

Prosecutors argued that “he had “terrorised a campus community for days” and had “horrified the nation at a very volatile time.” His autism, they argued, “was not a defence”.

Campaign Against Antisemitism reports on news and incidents relating to antisemitism throughout the United States.

Photo credit: Broome County Sheriff

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Solicitor Farrukh Najeeb Husain struck off after tribunal finds his tweets antisemitic and offensive in case where CAA provided expert opinion

The Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) has today struck off solicitor Farrukh Najeeb Husain after finding a number of his social media posts to be antisemitic and offensive.

The Solicitors’ Regulation Authority (SRA) investigated Mr Husain, an immigration and employment solicitor, following complaints regarding his conduct on X, which was reported to the regulator by Bevan Brittan, a law firm that employed him at the time.

The SRA claimed that Mr Husain’s conduct online was “offensive” and, in some cases, antisemitic. Stephen Silverman, Director of Investigations and Enforcement at Campaign Against Antisemitism, gave expert witness testimony to assist the SRA in its case.

Mr Husain represented himself over the course of the hearings, which began in September last year.

The tweets in question were directed at Simon Myerson KC, a barrister, and Hugo Rifkind, a journalist. Among the tweets were characterisations of Mr Rifkind as a “Zionist pig”, references to Mr Rifkind’s “eastern European kin” and the claim that Mr Myerson “wreaks of white privilege”.

Throughout the case, Mr Husain made several accusations against the SRA and Capsticks, a law firm that was representing the SRA at the tribunal. He claimed that the SRA was “weaponising new antisemitism” and subverting the International Definition of Antisemitism, and even accused the regulator of being “in bed” with Campaign Against Antisemitism. He also claimed that the solicitor acting on behalf of the SRA was an “imperialist” and asserted that she “bang[ed] on about the Holocaust because [she] wants to hide [her] country’s own crimes,” apparently referring to her British heritage.

During her cross-examination of Mr Husain, he said: “Mr Myerson is a fascist.”

Mr Husain extended his accusations also towards Mr Silverman during cross-examination and said: “It is you who are engaging in the antisemitic trope that there is a collection of Jews who are self-haters, who have turned against their nation and who are spouting conspiracy theories.”

Mr Silverman then asked the defendant if he was calling him an antisemite, to which Mr Husain responded: “Yes.”

Mr Husain also baselessly and conspiratorially accused Campaign Against Antisemitism of being set up and funded by a former Israeli diplomat.

Throughout the proceedings, Mr Husain was repeatedly reminded by the chairperson to conduct himself in an appropriate manner. In one instance, the tribunal panel addressed the defendant directly and accused him of “bordering on being abusive to Mr Silverman at times.”

A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “This is the right sanction. Farrukh Najeeb Husain’s rhetoric online was vile, and there was no evidence of any regard or remorse for the hurt and disgust that he caused. The SRA was right to bring this case to restore confidence in the legal profession, and we were pleased to be able to contribute expert opinion at the hearing in order to inform the panel and bring about this week’s decision and today’s sanction. The SDT has shown that there is no place for antisemitism in English law.”

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Solicitor’s tweets found to be antisemitic by tribunal in case where CAA provided expert opinion

A solicitor’s tweets were found to be antisemitic and offensive today by a tribunal.

The Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) has found a number of social media posts by the solicitor Farrukh Najeeb Husain to be antisemitic and offensive.

The Solicitors’ Regulation Authority (SRA) investigated Mr Husain, an immigration and employment solicitor, following complaints regarding his conduct on X, which was reported to the regulator by Bevan Brittan, a law firm that employed him at the time.

The SRA claimed that Mr Hussain’s conduct online was “offensive” and, in some cases, antisemitic. Stephen Silverman, Director of Investigations and Enforcement at Campaign Against Antisemitism, gave expert witness testimony to assist the SRA in its case.

Mr Husain represented himself over the course of the hearings, which began in September last year.

The tweets in question were directed at Simon Myerson KC, a barrister, and Hugo Rifkind, a journalist. Among the tweets were characterisations of Mr Rifkind as a “Zionist pig”, references to Mr Rifkind’s “eastern European kin” and the claim that Mr Myerson “wreaks of white privilege”.

Throughout the case, Mr Husain made several accusations against the SRA and Capsticks, a law firm that was representing the SRA at the tribunal. He claimed that the SRA was “weaponising new antisemitism” and subverting the International Definition of Antisemitism, and even accused the regulator of being “in bed” with Campaign Against Antisemitism. He also claimed that the barrister acting on behalf of the SRA was an “imperialist” and asserted that she “bang[ed] on about the Holocaust because [she] wants to hide [her] country’s own crimes,” apparently referring to her British heritage.

During her cross-examination of Mr Husain, he said: “Mr Myerson is a fascist.”

Mr Husain extended his accusations also towards Mr Silverman during cross-examination and said: “It is you who are engaging in the antisemitic trope that there is a collection of Jews who are self-haters, who have turned against their nation and who are spouting conspiracy theories.”

Mr Silverman then asked the defendant if he was calling him an antisemite, to which Mr Husain responded: “Yes.”

Mr Husain also baselessly and conspiratorially accused Campaign Against Antisemitism of being set up and funded by a former Israeli diplomat.

Throughout the proceedings, Mr Husain was repeatedly reminded by the chairperson to conduct himself in an appropriate manner. In one instance, the tribunal panel addressed the defendant directly and accused him of “bordering on being abusive to Mr Silverman at times.”

The SDT is expected to issue a more substantial judgment in due course, with any sanctions or penalties expected to be announced by the tribunal on Friday.

A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “We welcome this judgment. Farrukh Najeeb Husain’s rhetoric online was vile, and there was no evidence of any regard or remorse for the hurt and disgust that he caused. The SRA was right to bring this case to restore confidence in the legal profession, and we were pleased to be able to contribute expert opinion at the hearing in order to inform the panel and bring about today’s decision. We expect the SDT to apply the appropriate penalties on Mr Husain to show that there is no place for antisemitism in English law.”

To contact Campaign Against Antisemitism in relation to providing expert opinion or training, please e-mail [email protected].

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Comedy agent reportedly screamed at Jewish comedian about how “Jews exaggerate antisemitism” at Edinburgh Fringe

A comedy agent reportedly berated a Jewish comedian about how “Jews exaggerate antisemitism”.

The alleged incident occurred in a bar on the last day of this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe, also known as the Edinburgh Fringe, the world’s largest annual performing arts festival.

Bennett Arron, a Welsh comedian and writer who in 2018 performed at a Campaign Against Antisemitism comedy fundraiser, wrote of his “upsetting” experience on X, formerly known as Twitter, where he said the incident had “really spoilt what had been a wonderful Festival”.

“Bit upsetting. The Agent of some well known comedians decided to scream at me in a bar, in front of my family who had come to celebrate my success at the Fringe, that Jews exaggerate antisemitism and that other minority groups have real justification for complaint but not Jews,” he said.

Continuing, he wrote: “He also went on to scream that Jews should never have been given Israel and that Jews smeared Jeremy Corbyn. When I asked if we could discuss this another time as he was upsetting my family, he shouted “See THEY always do this!” It really spoilt what had been a wonderful Festival.”

Mr Arron was met by support from other comedians.

Geoff Norcott posted that it was “Horrible to read of these kind of comments in 2023,” while Felicity Ward wrote: “This is so awful. The confidence of the abuse given the time and place is even more upsetting. To feel bold enough to do it publicly without fear of any real reprimand is disgusting. I’m really sorry you and your family had to endure this.”

Robert Popper, creator of the Channel 4 sitcom Friday Night Dinner, said: “Nasty. Sorry this had to happen to you. I wonder if his clients know. And what they’d think about it.”

A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “Jewish comedians should not have to live in fear about being harassed by antisemitism-deniers. It is utterly appalling to hear that Bennett Arron was subjected to such vile abuse, and it is even more concerning to learn that someone within his own industry might be responsible. Individuals working in comedy would do well to remember that racism against Jews is no joke. We have since been in touch with Mr Arron to offer our support.”

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Identifiably Jewish men accosted whilst walking to Finchley synagogue

Two identifiably Jewish men were reportedly accosted whilst they were on their way to attend a Sabbath service at a synagogue in Finchley on Saturday 26th August.

The alleged victims were two men in their 70s and were both wearing kippot (skullcaps) and and carrying bags containing tallit (prayer shawls). Whilst the men were walking down Chessington Avenue towards Finchley United Synagogue, also known as Kinloss Synagogue, a car, believed to be a small black hatchback, stopped beside them. 

The driver, described as being a man of Middle Eastern appearance wearing a baseball cap who was approximately 30 years of age, was said to have rolled down his window before asking one of the men if he could ask them a question.

He then allegedly proceeded to show them a photograph on his phone of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before asking: “You know who this is?” 

One of the men responded to the driver by saying “I haven’t a clue….never seen him before,” before asking his friend to take a look who then gave the same reply.

Seemingly infuriated, the driver apparently began shouting at the pair before speeding off.

If you have any information about this incident, please e-mail [email protected].

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German woman fined for antisemitic e-mail to Director of Hanover Opera

A woman in Germany has been fined after she sent an antisemitic e-mail to the Director of the Hanover State Opera. 

The fine of €1,200 (£1022) was issued by the Hanover District Court in relation to a message that was sent to Laura Berman, the Director at the opera house, via an online contact form. 

In the e-mail, the unnamed defendant was alleged to have written a complaint of a performance at the opera house and related this to Ms Berman being Jewish. 

The defendant initially rejected the proceedings against her but then accepted the penalty order, which stipulates that she must pay €40 per day for 30 days. 

Campaign Against Antisemitism reports on news and incidents relating to antisemitism in Germany, which have increased considerably. 

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White Supremacist arrested after allegedly threatening jury in trial of Pittsburgh Tree of Life Synagogue shooter

A white supremacist was arrested and charged with threatening the jury, judge and witnesses at the trial of the Pittsburgh Synagogue shooter, Robert Bowers.

Hardy Carroll Lloyd, 45, from West Virginia, was charged with witness tampering, obstruction of justice and transmitting threats. He is accused of making comments calling for Mr Bowers’ release and threatening anyone involved in convicting him at his trial.

Mr Lloyd also allegedly wrote on 14th May on the Russian social media site VKontakte: “Free Robert Bowers Now!!…We need to support anyone who kills jews [sic].” 

On 17th May, three days later, he is claimed to have posted: “Robert Bowers did Pgh [Pittsburgh] a Favour. Any juror who finds him guilty is guilty of anti-White racism.” In an e-mail to local news stations, Mr Lloyd allegedly threatened to release personal information about jurors, announcing that he was “taking pictures of ALL cars and people who leave the courthouse”.

Mr Lloyd is also alleged to have placed or had others place for him stickers in predominantly Jewish areas that directed readers to a website claimed to be his and which is full of antisemitic abuse. The criminal complaint lodged against him argues that some stickers were themselves antisemitic, featuring symbols such as swastikas.

Campaign Against Antisemitism reports on news and incidents relating to antisemitism throughout the United States.

Image credit: Texas Department of Public Safety

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Jewish Florida Mayor receives death threat

An Orthodox Jewish Mayor in Florida is in FBI protection after receiving neo-Nazi death threats against him and his family.

Shlomo Danzinger, the Republican mayor of the town of Surfside, has been placed in 24-hour police protection, along with his wife and four children, after receiving a death threat from an unnamed individual. 

On 4th August 2023, the Mayor received an e-mail which claimed to represent “The Fourth Reich”, a neo-Nazi movement which supports the reincarnation of the Nazi Party and its genocidal ideology.

Mr Danzinger told local news: “Essentially, the e-mail said that perhaps it would be appropriate for the writer to come by my house and teach my family a lesson.” 

Upon receipt of the e-mail, Mr Danzinger immediately sent it to local law enforcement which determined that it was a credible threat. The issue was then sent to the FBI, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Joint Terrorism Task Force, which collectively decided that the most suitable course of action was to place Mr Danzinger and his family under police protection in their home until the threat is diminished. 

Mr Danzinger is the first Jewish mayor of Surfside and has stated that, as the threat is antisemitic in nature, he intends to prosecute the perpetrator if given the opportunity. 

Campaign Against Antisemitism reports on news and incidents relating to antisemitism throughout the United States.

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Jewish greed comments hurled at barrister in North London dry cleaner

Comments parroting antisemitic tropes about Jewish wealth and greed were hurled at a barrister on Friday afternoon.

Barrister and author Jamie Susskind stated on Twitter that he experienced an antisemitic incident in a dry cleaner in the North London area of Highbury, which left him “shaking with anger”.

According to Mr Susskind, as he requested the cost of an alteration, a man in the shop shouted: “You’ve all got enough money haven’t you?” 

Mr Susskind said that the man then said: “And you lot already own half of Manhattan. That not enough?”

When Mr Susskind asked if the man was referring to Jewish people, he “responded by making the shape of a large hooked nose with his hand”.

Mr Susskind wrote of the incident on Twitter but implored people not to assume which shop it was.

“There are two dry cleaners in that stretch of road so please do not leap to conclusions about which one it was. If you live locally and would prefer to know, so you can avoid it, please DM me,” he tweeted.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has worked with Mr Susskind in the past.

Earlier this year, we assisted a Jewish victim of unfair dismissal to vindicate his complaint against his former employer and achieve a major compensation package. The victim was assisted by Jamie Susskind, as counsel, and by Asserson Law Offices, as solicitors.

In 2018, the neo-Nazi leader Jeremy Bedford-Turner was sentenced to twelve months in prison after being unanimously convicted by a jury of incitement to racial hatred over a speech he gave in 2015 at a demonstration called to protest against the “Jewification” of Golders Green.

The verdict was a humiliation for the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) after they blocked Mr Bedford-Turner’s prosecution for two years, forcing Campaign Against Antisemitism into a long legal battle which culminated in the CPS having to reverse its decision not to prosecute. Campaign Against Antisemitism was represented pro bono by Mr Susskind, as well as leading counsel Brian Kennelly QC and solicitor David Sonn, to whom we are immensely grateful, and without whom Mr Bedford-Turner would have escaped justice.

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Melbourne Jewish students verbally attacked on bus by man with knife

A group of students from Leibler Yavneh College in Melbourne were verbally attacked on a bus by a man before he pulled out a knife. 

The incident began when a man on the bus began talking about “Jews, money and drugs”; he proceeded to become louder and could be heard describing himself as a Nazi. 

According to one of the students on the bus, the man then pulled out a knife that was “approximately six inches in length”, at which point they alerted the driver and other passengers. 

It is claimed that once the students managed to leave the bus, the man chased after them for a short distance. 

The incident has been reported to the local authorities and is under investigation. 

Campaign Against Antisemitism reports on news and incidents relating to antisemitism worldwide.

Image credit: Google

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Mississippi man charged with cyberstalking and threats following alleged targeting of synagogues and Jewish businesses

A man from Mississippi has been arrested following his alleged targeting of synagogues and Jewish-owned businesses in Pennsylvania. 

The charges faced by Donavon Parish, 28, relate to a series of phone calls that were said to have been made during April and May last year.

During the calls, the defendant is alleged to have made several references to the Holocaust and said: “Heil Hitler”; “all Jews must die”; “we will put you in work camps”; “gas the Jews” and; “Hitler should have finished the job.”

It is understood that one of the targeted businesses was called fifteen times. 

If convicted, Mr Parish faces up to 50 years’ imprisonment, three years of supervised release and a fine of $2.5 million. 

Campaign Against Antisemitism reports on news and incidents relating to antisemitism throughout the United States.

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New Jersey man pleads guilty to threatening synagogue attack

A New Jersey man pleaded guilty to sending threats of attack to a synagogue. 

Omar Alkattoul, 19, pleaded guilty at a federal court in Trenton, New Jersey, yesterday to “transmitting a threat in interstate and foreign commerce”.

Mr Alkattoul allegedly shared his manifesto, entitled, “When Swords Collide”, on social media. It is understood that in the document itself, he wrote: “I am the attacker and I would like to introduce myself,” and “the motive of this attack is hatred towards Jews and their heinous acts”. 

The manifesto was reported to the authorities by one of the recipients of the document.

When questioned by the police, the defendant reportedly said that the manifesto was written whilst he was “live action role playing” and “imagining being Al-Qaeda”. 

Mr Alkattoul is due to be sentenced on 14th November, where he faces up to five years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. 

Campaign Against Antisemitism reports on news and incidents relating to antisemitism throughout the United States.

Image credit: Google

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Arsenal supporter who shouted “Hitler should have finished the job” sentenced

An Arsenal Football Club supporter who shouted “Hitler should have finished the job” was sentenced today at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court.

Daniel Down, 29, pleaded guilty and was sentenced for using threatening, abusive, distressing words at a football match on 15th January 2023 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. 

The charges, which were racially or religiously aggravated, were brought against him by the Crown Prosecution Service after he shouted “Hitler should have finished the job” at a match between Arsenal Football Club and Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.

The prosecution noted that the victim, who reported the incident to the police, had immediately told Mr Down that he took “great offence” at what Mr Down said and explained that members of his family had died in the Holocaust. 

The prosecution also noted that Mr Down had apologised to the victim immediately and had attended a police interview without legal counsel. 

Upon sentencing, the Judge said: “Mr Down, what you did was egregious in the extreme…You are a young man of 29, you ought to have known better.” 

In light of his plea and apology to the victim, the Judge gave Mr Down a court order that bans him from attending football matches in the UK for three years. He was also ordered to pay a total of £471 in fines, which includes a victim surcharge of £110. 

Earlier this year, Arsenal Football Club launched a new affiliate called “Jewish Gooners”, partly in response to antisemitism among supporters.

Campaign Against Antisemitism continues to report on and act against instances of anti-Jewish racism in all sports.

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Bike repairman says he would charge Jewish customers more as “they have all the money”

A father and son were told by a bicycle repairman that Jews would be charged more for repair of their scooter because “they have all the money.”

The customers came to their local bicycle shop in North London to fix the wheels of the child’s scooter. When the father asked how much the repair would cost, the repairman answered £40. When the father replied, “Oh dear, it’s half the price of the scooter itself,” the repairman allegedly responded: “Since you’re a good customer I’ll do it for £30,” adding: “For Jews I’d charge £60!”

Shocked by his comment, the father asked: “Why would you overcharge a Jewish person?”

The repairman allegedly replied: “because they have all the money.”

The father responded, saying that this was no way to conduct a business and that it was antisemitic to speak and behave in such a way. By this point the repairman had allegedly become angry and called the customer a sick person and kicked him and his son out of the shop.

Neither the father nor the six-year-old son had any markers identifying them as Jewish.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has provided support to the victim.

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Police fail Golders Green rabbi after violent antisemitic altercation in parking dispute

Police have failed a rabbi in Golders Green who was the victim of antisemitic violence and abuse in a parking dispute.

The rabbi, who wishes to remain anonymous, was in his car with his wife and children preparing to park in a parking space that was being vacated. Another car was forced to wait behind for a mere minute while the rabbi was waiting to park.

As the driver of the car behind became impatient, he left his vehicle and started yelling as he approached the rabbi’s car. The rabbi got out of his car in order to try to calm the other driver down, but the other driver shoved him back against the car and shouted: “F*** you and your whole dissolved gene pool.”

The rabbi’s wife telephoned the police during the incident, which took place in June.

The assailant returned to his car and drove off. In order to help identify him, the rabbi followed him back to a house and informed the police of that address. When the police arrived, they interviewed the suspect who denied that any incident had taken place.

To the rabbi’s dismay, the police did not arrest him and told the rabbi that there was no evidence as his wife and children could apparently not act as witnesses, and other witnesses from the scene had departed by the time the police arrived.

The police assured the rabbi that he would be granted access to the recording of his wife’s telephone call to the police, which he believed captured audio of the assailant’s abuse. However, his subsequent requests for a copy of the audio were inexplicably denied, although the police insisted that they listened to it and that it did not contain the assailant’s abuse.

Although the police on the scene were polite, the follow-up e-mail that they promised him never materialised, and he heard nothing back since the incident took place last summer and they took his statement.

A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “This is an appalling example of dereliction of duty by police officers. Instead of looking for reasons not to pursue a case, leaving a victim and his family in distress, officers should do – and be seen to be doing – their utmost to ensure that justice is done. Instead, someone prepared to physically attack a rabbi has been left emboldened and at large.

“Our polling shows that a majority of British Jews did not believe that the police do enough to protect them. That sentiment is not going to change if serious incidents of violent antisemitic abuse like this are not fully investigated. We have provided support to the victim.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s analysis of Home Office statistics shows that an average of over three hate crimes are directed at Jews every single day in England and Wales, with Jews more than four times likelier to be targets of hate crimes than any other faith group.

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s Antisemitism Barometer 2021 showed that over two thirds British Jews believe that the authorities, in general, are not doing enough to address and punish antisemitism.

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Men shout “dirty Jews” at teenagers in Golders Green 

Four men reportedly shouted “dirty Jews” at two Jewish teenagers in North-West London last week.

The incident occurred on Hamilton Road in Golders Green at 22:00 on Friday night. 

It is understood that the men came out of a BMW car and shouted “dirty Jews” at the victims, before attempting to chase them. Once the victims had crossed the road, the suspects proceeded to shout “run Jews, run.”

The incident was reported to Shomrim North West London, a Jewish volunteer neighbourhood watch patrol.

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s analysis of Home Office statistics shows that an average of over five hate crimes are directed at Jews every single day in England and Wales, with Jews more than five times likelier to be targets of hate crimes than any other faith group.

Image credit: Google

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Two individuals sentenced after shouting “Free Palestine” at identifiably Jewish couple in Manchester during height of Hamas war last year

Two individuals have been sentenced after shouting “Free Palestine” at an identifiably Jewish couple in Manchester last year.

The incident took place in the summer of 2021 in Crumpsall in Manchester. The victims were walking to family on Shabbat afternoon.

The police arrested two suspects – Majid Hussain and Shabna Khan– who pleaded not guilty at Manchester City Magistrates’ Court on 20th July 2022. They were found guilty at a trial at Tameside Magistrates’ Court on 31st October.

On 8th December they were sentenced, with Mr Hussain receiving a thirteen-month community order, 120 hours of unpaid work and compensation of £50 to each of the two victims. Ms Khan received a twelve-month community order, a fine of £184 and compensation of £50 to each of the two victims.

Campaign Against Antisemitism provided advice to the victims.

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s analysis of Home Office statistics shows that an average of over five hate crimes are directed at Jews every single day in England and Wales, with Jews more than five times likelier to be targets of hate crimes than any other faith group.

We are seeking to recruit a General Counsel a Solicitor a Legal Researcher a School and Campus Educator to join our London office

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Campaign Against Antisemitism is a volunteer-led charity dedicated to exposing and countering antisemitism through education and zero-tolerance enforcement of the law. Everything that we do is done by people who volunteer their time, using donations contributed by members of the public. Join the fight against antisemitism by subscribing to our updates, volunteering, or donating.