Anti-Semitic attacks in the UK have doubled in the first half of this year compared with the same period in 2008, prompted by Israel’s invasion of Gaza, Jewish groups told the BBC.
The Jewish Community Security Trust (CST) recorded 609 anti-Semitic incidents between January and June – up from 276 last year.
From the Daily Telegraph, much of the surge took place in January - there were up to 286 incidents occurred in January alone.
The security body said in the BBC a disproportionately higher monthly number of attacks and abuse continued into spring.
There were more than nine incidents happened since February in the UK every single day. Most of the incidents were abusive behaviour, but there were also 77 violent acts.
The CST said the rise of anti-Semitism had been driven by anger over Israel’s military campaign against Hamas in Gaza last year.
The conflict between December 2008 and January 2009 was followed by an almost immediate rise in anti-Semitic incidents in the UK.
The CST added, according to the BBC, the total number of incidents for the first six months of this year was worse than the previous record of 598 incidents for the whole of 2006, apart from a big rise compared to 276 incidents happened in 2008, as previously said in the article.
The attacks recorded so far, include 77 acts of physical violence and two life-threatening assaults, one of which was an attempt to run over with a car.
Mark Gardner, of the CST said in an interview with the BBC: “British Jews facing ever higher levels of racist attack and intimidation that threaten the well-being of our otherwise happy and successful Jewish community.
“There is no excuse for anti-Semitism, racism and bias, and it is totally unacceptable that overseas conflicts should be impacting here in this way.”
Liberal Democrats Home Affairs spokesman Chris Huhne told the Daily Telegraph: “Britain is setting a shameful new record in anti-Semitic incidents this year, which are running at double the annual rate of the previous record.
“It is completely abhorrent that anyone should be intimidated on the grounds of their race, colour, gender, sexuality or creed.
“We must stand firm against intolerance shown to any minority if we are to preserve a civilized society.”
Foreign Office minister Ivan Lewis said: “I am deeply concerned by the rise in the number of anti-Semitic indicents as reported by the CST today.
“The British government is firmly committed to tackling and reducing all forms of racism including anti-Semitism.
“We simply cannot tolerate those who seek to use foreign conflicts to justify racism and criminal acts against any UK citizen.
“The UK’s Jewish community is an integral part of the rich fabric that makes up modern Britain and must be able to live free from fear of verbal or physical attack.
“The Government was in regular contact with senior community figures and the CST during the Gaza conflict and remain alert to their concerns.”
The BBC and the Daily Telegraph both published the comment made by Shahid Malik, Minister of Cohesion, one of two Muslims in government.
He said: “This rise in anti-Semitism is not just concerning for the British Jewish communities but for all those who see themselves as decent human beings
“It may be legitimate for individuals to criticise or be angry at the actions of the Israel government but we must never allow this anger to be used to justify anti-Semitism.
Earlier this year, Muslims leaders issued a joint statement denouncing anti-Semitism, amid fears that violent elements from within their own communities were responsible for the increase in attacks, the BBC has learnt.
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