I would never normally write anything on Yom Kippur because it’s the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. But here I am, because two people were killed for being Jewish at a synagogue. Many Jews understood that it was never “if” an attack like this was going to happen — it was always “when”. Attacks against Jews have spiralled out of control and mass attacks have been foiled by the security services. Despite this, incitement against Jews has been allowed to flourish by the authorities.
We have witnessed weekly demonstrations characterised by racism against Jews. People now feel empowered to make statements that wouldn’t have been out of place in Nazi Germany — even doctors — prompting Health Secretary Wes Streeting to condemn language he said “reflects the values of Nazis, not the NHS”. And yet nothing is done.
We have watched this hate take root in institutions from universities to unions. It masquerades as art too. At music festivals the crowd sing along to hate, which in the case of Glastonbury was then broadcast into the nation’s living rooms as legitimate entertainment.
It only took a few years to set us back a century, but the signs were already there. Charges were dropped in 2022 against a convoy shouting “rape Jewish daughters”.
The normalisation of dehumanising Jews has become so pervasive that some may seek to blame Jews even for this horrific attack against Jews.
Synagogues have needed security for a long time. Even Jewish schools, including primary schools. Like America, children have to practise what to do in the event a gunman breaks in to kill them. This is the reality of “globalise the intifada”.
Jews are not allowed to enjoy things the way other people can.
The right to go to school and to worship safely is a cornerstone of democracy, and it should not be life-threatening to exercise this fundamental human right. This attack on British Jews is also an attack on our democracy and must serve as a wake-up call, although given the number of alarm bells that were already ringing, I won’t hold my breath.
In Britain in 2025, Jews no longer feel safe wearing visible signs of our identity, such as a Star of David. This cannot be allowed to continue. As we approach the second anniversary of October 7 there must be action, not just words to ensure Jewish safety and to defend the democratic values we all share.
