A Government-Backed Report Exposes Britain’s Middle-Class Antisemitism
The Normalization of Antisemitism in Modern Britain: Jews are Tolerated, Not Respected
A new Government-backed report, commissioned by the Board of Deputies of British Jews, exposes the alarming extent of antisemitism embedded within middle-class Britain. Co-authored by Lord Mann, the Government’s anti-Semitism adviser, and Dame Penny Mordaunt, the former Defence Secretary, the review reveals how Jewish people in the UK are increasingly subjected to prejudice in the workplace, public services, and cultural institutions. They are “tolerated rather than respected,” the report states, with the rise of anti-Semitic incidents across the NHS, universities, and the arts.
The review, based on six months of research, found antisemitism to be pervasive in several sectors. Jewish employees in the NHS have reported antisemitic abuse from colleagues, particularly following the October 7, 2023, attacks. Several staff members were even suspended for social media posts celebrating the attack, but the issue remains largely “swept under the carpet.”
A similar pattern is seen in universities, where Jewish students and staff have faced increasing threats, including death threats and bomb hoaxes. In one case, a chaplain at Leeds University received threats against his family after his reserve duties in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). At some primary schools, antisemitic tropes are reportedly being taught in religious education classes.
The report also criticizes the inconsistency in policing antisemitic hate crimes, especially at pro-Palestinian protests, where Jewish individuals are often targeted. Police forces, it states, need better training to understand anti-Semitism and a consistent approach to tackling hate crimes. During recent protests, some have been labeled “hate marches,” with incidents of intimidation outside Jewish places of worship and the failure of police to intervene effectively.
The arts sector, too, has seen a worrying trend of Jewish artists being “cancelled” due to their heritage. The report highlights a particularly poignant example of a young Jewish female performer whose career was derailed by venues and promoters distancing themselves after October 7. These pressures reflect the broader societal climate where Jewish individuals are increasingly marginalized in their professional and cultural spheres.
The co-authors of the report were “stunned into silence” by the evidence they uncovered. They emphasize that antisemitism is now “normalized” in certain circles and is not being understood as a form of racism. In response, the report calls for urgent measures, including:
Recognising Judaism as an Ethnicity: This would better frame anti-Semitic prejudice within the broader context of racism, enabling more effective protections.
Overhauling Policing of Antisemitic Crimes: A national standard for investigating and prosecuting anti-Semitic hate crimes, ensuring consistency across all police forces.
Antisemitism Training for Employers: A mandatory training qualification for employers to equip them to identify and tackle anti-Semitism in the workplace.
A National Policy on Antisemitism: The report urges the UK Government to create a comprehensive, country-wide strategy to combat anti-Semitism, supported by all levels of government and public institutions.
Protection for Jewish Professionals: Recommendations for professional bodies and trade unions to ensure they provide safe spaces for Jewish members, particularly those affected by political motions relating to Israel.
The report paints a grim picture of the current environment for Jews in the UK, with antisemitism becoming more pervasive and institutionalized. Yet it also presents a roadmap for tackling this growing crisis. While the Government has acknowledged the findings and pledged to consider the report’s recommendations, the real challenge lies in turning these proposals into action.
In light of recent incidents, including the controversial “death to IDF” chants at Glastonbury, it’s clear that the British public must confront the growing normalization of antisemitism. It is not just a Jewish issue—it is a societal one. The failure to protect Jewish people from hate and discrimination is a failure of the entire British society. The UK is not alone, a new ADL report shows a large minority in America believe attacks and murder of Jews is either necessary, justified or understandable. The societal rot is global.
As the UK Government deliberates on these findings, it is crucial that it takes decisive action to protect its Jewish communities and ensure that antisemitism is no longer tolerated or normalized in any sphere of life.
I support Israel👍👍. I certainly don’t support the vile Muslim ideology being imposed upon me and my countrymen! 🤬