Jewish Londoners face heightened fears after difficult year
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Jewish people in London are preparing for the High Holy Days, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, while reflecting on a year marked by antisemitic attacks and increased feelings of vulnerability.
Tami Isaacs Pearce, owner of Karma Bread Bakery, described the past year as “devastating and shocking” following incidents like arson attacks on Hatzola ambulances and stabbings in Golders Green.
Phil Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, called the last 12 months an “annus horribilis” as long-held fears about safety became reality. The government’s announcement of sanctions against Israeli settlements also caused anxiety among some Jewish Londoners, with Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis warning it could fuel antisemitism, a claim Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband disputed. Metropolitan Police data shows antisemitic offences in London rose 25% in the year to July, reaching 1,379 reported incidents.
Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes stated the police receive three to four reports of antisemitic hate crime daily, ranging from verbal harassment to more serious attacks. To address the rising threat, the government committed £86 million to increase police presence in Jewish neighbourhoods. The Metropolitan Police is building three dedicated teams with over 250 officers, working alongside the Community Security Trust and the volunteer group Shomrim.
Despite past criticism of police cuts, officials hope this new approach will provide long-term security and serve as a model for responding to hate crime against other communities. Some Jewish Londoners continue to modify their appearance to avoid drawing attention to their identity, but many remain determined to practice their faith openly and find comfort in community.
