A charity that provides security to Jewish communities in the UK at venues such as schools and synagogues has been handed an extra £3m by the government amid a spike in reports of antisemitism during the conflict in Israel and Gaza.
The Community Security Trust (CST) has been given the extra money “to enhance the safety of the British Jewish community”, said Home Secretary Suella Braverman.
“Israeli defensive action against Hamas must not be used as an excuse to stir up hatred against Jews,” she said.
“We stand against antisemitism. And we stand with Israel.”
This is in addition to a £15m government grant already given to the charity to fund security staff at Jewish premises.
CST says that antisemitic incidents have more than quadrupled in the four days since attacks by Hamas on Israeli communities sparked a backlash by Israel that has seen the Gaza region blockaded and bombed, with a ground assault likely.
Between 7-10 October CST recorded 89 antisemitic incidents UK wide, compared to 21 over the same period the previous year.
Among these incidents 50 took place in Greater London, 12 in Greater Manchester, five in the West Midlands, four in West Yorkshire, three in Hertfordshire, with the remaining 15 in 10 different locations in the UK.
Most of these were offline, with 22 occurring online.
Since the conflict erupted in Israel and Gaza an Orthodox Jewish man was hit in the face by a man on a bus, who tried to take his hat.
In another incident a Jewish person walking to synagogue in London was called “dirty Jew” by a stranger, who added “no wonder you’re all getting raped”.
Meanwhile in London, graffiti of Adolf Hitler giving a Nazi salute next to the word “Jews” has been painted on a wall.
“Make no mistake: these are anti-Jewish racist incidents and hate crimes in which Jewish people, property and institutions are singled out for hate, including death threats and abuse,” said CST.
The charity added “we will work with the Home Office to ensure that this extra funding is used in the most effective way to enhance the existing security that is in place".
Today it emerged that two Jewish schools in north London have been closed until Monday as a precautionary measure amid the escalation in antisemitism.
The support we are receiving from the government and policing is greatly reassuring at this worrying time.
— CST (@CST_UK) October 12, 2023
We will work with the Home Office to ensure that this funding is used effectively to enhance our existing security, and provide our community with extra protection. pic.twitter.com/U5qOjoPjBE
Humanitarian crisis
Meanwhile, international aid charity Islamic Relief has condemned “the appalling violence against civilians in Israel and Gaza in recent days” and is calling for an immediate ceasefire.
It has warned that “the humanitarian crisis” in Gaza is “spiralling out of control”.
So far more than 2,600 people have been killed and thousands more injured with “any further escalation” set to injure and ill more civilians and leave “lasting psychological scars on a generation”.
It also criticises Israel’s blockade of Gaza, which has seen food, medicine, aid, and fuel for the region being cut off.
“This is having catastrophic humanitarian consequences, and the poorest and most vulnerable people are suffering most,” warned the charity.
Islamic Relief is among Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) charities to launch fundraising appeals in response to the conflict in Israel and Gaza. Others to start appeals are Oxfam and the British Red Cross.
The DEC is monitoring the “rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation” to assess whether it meets it criteria for launching an appeal.
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