UK Sees Sharpest Rise in Antisemitic Incidents

A new report has found that the UK experienced the most substantial increase in antisemitic incidents last year among countries with major Jewish populations outside of Israel. The findings, published by the J7 Large Communities' Task Force Against Antisemitism, also indicate that 2025 was the deadliest year for Jews living outside Israel in more than three decades.

The J7 task force represents the seven largest Jewish diaspora communities globally. Their report confirms that antisemitism in Argentina, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the UK, and the US – which collectively house over 90% of the world's Jewish population outside Israel – continues to be at unprecedented levels. Since 2022, reported antisemitic incidents across these seven nations have escalated by 136%, with violent incidents rising by 97%.

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UK Incident Increase and Global Fatalities

In 2025, the UK was one of only three countries, alongside Argentina and Germany, to record an increase in reported antisemitic incidents. The UK saw a 5% rise compared to the previous year, representing the largest growth among the seven countries studied. While incidents decreased in the US, Australia, Canada, and France in 2025 compared to 2024, all nations remained significantly above pre-October 7, 2023, levels. The year 2025 recorded 20 deaths from antisemitic attacks, the highest annual toll since the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community centre in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The report details specific fatal attacks: in Australia, 15 individuals, including a child, died in an attack at Bondi Beach, Sydney, during a Hanukkah celebration. In the UK, Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby were killed during an assault on Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester on Yom Kippur. In the US, two Israeli embassy staff were fatally shot outside an event in Washington D.C., and a grandmother in Colorado died after Molotov cocktails were allegedly thrown at a gathering supporting hostages.

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Concerns Over Social Media and Government Response

The report highlights widespread concern regarding the influence of social media and artificial intelligence in the rise of antisemitism. Marina Rosenberg of the US-based Anti-Defamation League stated that violent attacks often begin with online rhetoric, noting social media's role in radicalisation. Lord Mann, the UK government's independent adviser on antisemitism, urged a methodical approach and warned that governments avoiding their responsibilities exacerbate the problem.

Angela Rayner, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, expressed dismay at the rise of antisemitism in the UK, calling it intolerable. She affirmed the government's commitment to working with international partners to combat antisemitism globally. The UK government recently committed £251 million to assist police forces in protecting Jewish communities across England. The Board of Deputies of British Jews is advocating for stronger community security measures, action against antisemitism in educational institutions and public life, and accountability for social media companies.

The J7 task force issued a joint statement asserting that antisemitism in their member countries is now the 'new normal' and called for governments to move from reactive responses to proactive measures, including security funding, stronger legislation, and enforcement of social media platform rules.

An independent review into antisemitism in English schools and colleges is expected to be presented to the government in the autumn.