Synagogue targeted in St John’s Wood
A deeply troubling incident unfolded in St John’s Wood yesterday, as pro-Palestinian activists gathered outside a synagogue while families were inside. The group displayed hostile messaging and reportedly projected offensive language onto the building. Police eventually moved them on, but the protest continued nearby.
The targeting of a synagogue in this way is yet another indication of the failure of policing policy over the past two years. Despite repeated warnings from the Jewish community and clear signs of escalating extremism nationwide, authorities have not ensured the protection of Jewish institutions, even in Jewish neighbourhoods.
The incident comes amid wider concerns that events abroad are emboldening extremists here. A synagogue in New York City was recently targeted during demonstrations, drawing significant controversy and raising fears that such behaviour is becoming normalised.
At a moment like this, it is essential for London’s leadership to show moral clarity. Many within the community will be looking to the Mayor of London to condemn the targeting of a synagogue in the strongest possible terms.
For British Jews, confidence in political and policing leadership has been severely eroded. Yet, at the very least, there should be a clear and emphatic rejection of the intimidation witnessed this week.
Once again, a red line has been crossed. Jewish communities deserve meaningful protection from those who seek to threaten or provoke them.
New analysis suggests BBC headlines have been markedly more critical of Israel than Hamas
A new report has found that BBC online headlines have been three times more critical of Israel than of Hamas since 7th October 2023. The findings have heightened longstanding concerns about the Corporation’s editorial judgement in its coverage of the conflict.
Our national broadcaster has become an international embarrassment. The resignations of Director General Tim Davie and BBC News CEO Deborah Turness should be seen as an admission, through gritted teeth, that the much-vaunted impartiality of the BBC has been a sham.
It is outrageous that the British public is forced to pay money to an institution whose biased broadcasting has become propaganda instead of journalism, including licence fee money being indirectly allocated to the family of a senior Hamas terrorist.
The findings underline the urgent need for an independent inquiry into BBC bias, with its results published for all to see, and for those who have hijacked the Corporation into serving an increasingly warped agenda to be held to account. Until such an inquiry is conducted, it is unconscionable to require taxpayers to fund a biased, sanctimonious, and unaccountable BBC.
Campaign Against Antisemitism continues to call for transparency, accountability, and reform to ensure the national broadcaster serves the public interest rather than partisan narratives.
Add your name to the call for accountability here.
Do you know what ‘antisemitism’ means?
There is a growing problem in public discourse: some activists within the so-called ‘Free Palestine’ movement have begun circulating the absurd claim that antisemitism refers to discrimination against Palestinians.
It does not.
Antisemitism is racism against Jews — and it is most usefully encapsulated by the International Definition of Antisemitism.
To understand how widespread the confusion may be, we took to the streets to ask members of the public whether they know what antisemitism actually means.
Nearly half of Britons believe the UK is unsafe for Jewish people
New polling indicates that nearly half of Britons believe that the United Kingdom has become unsafe for Jewish people.
The survey also found that six in ten respondents are concerned about a rise in antisemitism as a result of the Hamas-Israel conflict.
While it is reassuring that so many in the public recognise the surge in anti-Jewish racism, the findings underscore the disconnect between public concern and the actions of authorities. Over the past two years, there has been minimal effective intervention to address the escalation of antisemitism across the country.\
Protesters call for scrapping terrorism laws outside Supreme Court
Pro-Palestinian activists gathered outside the Supreme Court this week, displaying a banner calling for the abolition of the United Kingdom’s terrorism legislation.
The demonstration has raised serious concerns about public safety and the understanding of legal protections against terrorist threats. Removing the country’s terrorism laws would leave the United Kingdom without statutory means to investigate or prevent acts of violence, placing all communities, including Jewish communities, at risk.
This is not an exercise in legitimate activism or social justice; it is a dangerous call to action.
Premier League journalist reportedly used stadium access to post extremist content
Videos have emerged suggesting that a beIN Sports journalist may have used accredited media access at Premier League stadiums to record political material, including posts that appear to praise Hamas-linked figures and attacks.
Investigative journalist David Collier’s research reportedly shows Ibrahim Khadra filming political commentary from pitch-side walkways, media gantries, interview zones, and other restricted areas at Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, West Ham United, Fulham, and Wembley Stadium, with club branding visible throughout.
Some posts allegedly included praise for so-called “armed resistance” in Gaza and images of Hizballah leader Hassan Nasrallah described as a “martyr.” Other historic content reportedly glorified shootings near synagogues, celebrated attacks on Israeli civilians, and applauded rocket fire on Israeli towns, including material posted shortly after 7th October 2023.
Premier League and Football Association rules prohibit political or ideological messaging from anyone entering stadiums, including accredited journalists, and broadcasters maintain restrictions on extremist content.
That such access may have been used for these purposes is profoundly disturbing. Football grounds should remain spaces for sport and community, not platforms for the glorification of extremism.
Dutch report contradicts West Midlands Police claims on Israeli football fans
West Midlands Police justified an unprecedented ban on Israeli football supporters by claiming that “significant numbers” had engaged in “hate-motivated crimes” in Amsterdam. A newly-released Dutch police report, however, makes clear that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans “do not have a violent reputation”, that they were victims of organised attacks described in court as a “Jew hunt,” and that almost all of those arrested were Dutch nationals.
The decision to exclude Israeli fans from Villa Park appears to have been based on flawed information or misrepresentations. This is not a minor administrative error: a British police force relied on claims directly contradicted by the authorities who investigated the events in Amsterdam. The consequences were severe, with Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters barred from attending a Europa League match solely on purported “safety” grounds.
Senior figures from both main political parties are now demanding answers. Campaign Against Antisemitism also calls for full publication of the intelligence and material on which this extraordinary decision was made. Only complete transparency can restore trust and demonstrate that policing decisions of this magnitude are grounded in evidence rather than assumptions about or prejudice against Jewish or Israeli supporters.
If British police cannot guarantee the safety of Jewish and Israeli fans at a football match, what does that say about the state of policing in the United Kingdom? And what measures will be in place when international fixtures come to Villa Park during Euro 2028? These are not abstract questions; they go to the heart of whether Jewish people can participate safely and equally in public life.
Bristol venue apologises to Jewish band after show cancellation
Strange Brew, a venue in Bristol, has issued an apology to the band Oi Va Voy after cancelling their show in May this year. The venue acknowledged that the band was “likely only subjected to this level of scrutiny…because they are a Jewish band performing with an Israeli singer.”
The cancellation followed complaints regarding the band’s performance with guest singer Zohara, who is Israeli. In a statement, the band said: “This episode has had an immense personal and emotional impact on us. It has also led to financial loss, reputational damage and a barrage of hate, the likes of which we had never experienced before.”
It is right that Strange Brew has recognised that its initial decision was mistaken and has apologised. However, incidents like this remain deeply concerning for Jews in the United Kingdom. Our polling shows that more than four-fifths (84%) of British Jews agree that boycotts of Israeli artists constitute intimidation.
It is understood that the matter has been resolved “amicably” and that senior staff members at the venue will undergo antisemitism training. While apologies are a step in the right direction, venues must take proactive measures to ensure they do not give in to pressure from hostile campaigns in the first place.
Volunteer helps prompt arrest of Palestine Action activist outside Parliament
A Campaign Against Antisemitism volunteer reported an individual standing outside the Houses of Parliament dressed as a police officer and holding a sign reading “I support Palestine Action.”
Police were informed and an arrest was subsequently made.
Palestine Action is a proscribed organisation under the Terrorism Act 2000, and impersonating a police officer is a criminal offence.
The law must be enforced, and anyone found to be in breach should face the full consequences. Campaign Against Antisemitism will continue to monitor the situation and support authorities in ensuring that extremist activity is properly addressed.
