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Antisemitism in the UK
19 February 2024
Lead MP
Chris Philp
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
Crime & Law EnforcementEconomyCommunity SecurityForeign Affairs
Other Contributors: 32
At a Glance
Chris Philp raised concerns about antisemitism in the uk in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
Last week, the Community Security Trust reported 4,103 antisemitic incidents in 2023, a 147% increase from 1,662 incidents in 2022. The report highlights that more than two thirds of these incidents occurred after Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7th, with 416 reported the week following the attacks alone. This is an unacceptable rise and a disgrace to society. Chris Philp emphasised that there are comprehensive powers in place for public order offences involving racial or religious hostility, which will result in an uplifted sentence. The Government has increased funding by £36 million over two years to bolster security at Jewish schools, synagogues, and other sites. Additionally, they have announced a further £7 million to tackle antisemitism in education. Proscribed organisations such as Hizb ut-Tahrir and Hamas are responsible for spreading antisemitism, with penalties up to 14 years imprisonment or an unlimited fine. The Government is working closely with the police to ensure hate crime is met with the full force of the law.
Nigel Mills
Con
Amber Valley
Question
Can the Minister provide an update on how schools can best protect Jewish students from antisemitic abuse, particularly in light of recent incidents?
Minister reply
The Government is providing £7 million funding to help tackle antisemitism in education. This includes ensuring that all staff and pupils are trained to identify and address antisemitic bullying or harassment. Schools should ensure they have robust policies in place, work closely with CST, engage local police forces for advice on security measures, and report any incidents of antisemitic abuse.
Birmingham, Hall Green
Question
What steps are being taken to ensure that university staff are adequately trained to identify and address antisemitism?
Minister reply
We have announced £7 million of funding specifically for tackling antisemitism in education. This includes training programmes designed for both students and staff at universities, colleges, and other educational institutions. These initiatives aim to equip educators with the tools necessary to spot and respond appropriately to instances of antisemitic abuse.
Kwasi Kwarteng
Con
Spelthorne
Question
Given the recent rise in online hate speech, how does the Government plan to address this growing issue?
Minister reply
Addressing online antisemitism is a key priority. We will continue working with social media platforms and other stakeholders to ensure that they take robust action against users spreading hatred. This includes updating legislation where necessary through the Online Harms Bill, which aims to make internet companies more accountable for harmful content.
Yvette Cooper
Lab
Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley
Question
Welcomes Minister’s statement but raises several concerns: over 4,000 antisemitism incidents in 2023, rise in online antisemitism, calls for updated counter-extremism strategy, urgent review of decision to downgrade non-crime hate incident reporting.
Minister reply
Agrees with the importance of addressing antisemitism and extremism. Police made over 600 arrests since October. Government engages regularly with online platforms on safety issues, including upcoming changes in the Online Safety Act. Inciting racial hatred is a criminal offence under Public Order Act. Continuous review of laws regarding extremism.
Suella Braverman
Con
Fareham and Waterlooville
Question
Thanks Minister for tackling antisemitism issues, expresses concern about Jewish community being demonised and targeted, and worries about Lord Austin's treatment by Midland Heart for speaking against Islamism.
Minister reply
Pays tribute to Suella Braverman for her work as Home Secretary. Supports Lord Austin’s criticism of Islamism which is not the same as the Muslim community more widely. Urges Midland Heart to reconsider its decision on Lord Austin.
Ronnie Cowan
SNP
East Renfrewshire
Question
Concerned about the focus on punishment rather than education, MP Ronnie Cowan highlights Scotland’s commitment to eradicating antisemitism through education and the importance of community diversity. He requests reconsideration on funding for educational initiatives.
Minister reply
Minister Chris Philp confirms £7 million will be allocated towards tackling antisemitism in education and outlines additional measures from the Department for Education, including a five-point plan to protect Jewish students on university campuses.
Michael Ellis
Con
Northampton North
Question
Concerned about violent campaigns of antisemitism in universities and the failure of the Metropolitan police to address fascist-style racists during London marches, MP Michael Ellis requests a full investigation into an alleged judicial misconduct case involving a magistrates court judge.
Minister reply
Minister Chris Philp reassures that 600 arrests have been made for crossing criminal thresholds during protests. He supports the call for an investigation by the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office.
Diana R. Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Question
Questions about the Home Affairs Committee’s inquiry into policing of protests and the surge in antisemitism incidents following overseas conflicts, especially those referencing Israel-Palestine 7 October attacks.
Minister reply
Minister Chris Philp expresses concern over conflict-related tensions on UK streets and calls for political leaders to enforce laws robustly against terrorism and racial hatred.
Andrew Percy
Con
Brigg and Goole
Question
Concerned about the demonisation of Jews following overseas conflicts and antisemitism in universities, MP Andrew Percy requests stronger action against root causes.
Minister reply
Minister Chris Philp confirms 600 arrests for illegal behaviour at protests since October. He reassures that zero tolerance will be shown to those breaking laws or inciting racial hatred.
Theresa Villiers
Con
Finchley and Golders Green
Question
Does the Minister agree that the attack on the constituency office of my hon. Friend the Member for Finchley and Golders Green was an utterly unacceptable attack on democracy?
Minister reply
I am pleased to report that arrests have been made in relation to the appalling attack, and I understand that the perpetrators are currently on remand in prison. It is a tragedy that the MP feels unable to stand for Parliament again due to intimidation. The Government must ensure no other Members feel this way.
Margaret Hodge
Lab
Barking
Question
I welcome the strong statements made by the Minister and the shadow Home Secretary. I hope that, in tackling the deep-seated antisemitism to which the hon. Member for Brigg and Goole referred, we can work in a united way across the House.
Minister reply
I share her horror at various events highlighted in the CST’s report, including an incident at a theatre where a Jewish man was essentially hounded out—a disgraceful act that has no place in civilised society. The Government have taken legislative action via the Online Safety Act and increased funding for the Community Security Trust.
Munira Wilson
Lib Dem
Twickenham
Question
Sadly, we have seen a trebling of antisemitic incidents on university campuses between 2022 and 2023. However, since then, we have had no update on how many applications have been made to that fund and how the money has been allocated.
Minister reply
I would be very happy to come back to the hon. Lady with an update on that question. It is an evolving situation, but I echo her comments. It is concerning when universities appear to have been hijacked by antisemites; Jewish students are being intimidated and harassed.
Andrew Jones
Con
Harrogate and Knaresborough
Question
I thank my right hon. Friend for his statement, and join him in paying tribute to the work of the Community Security Trust. Today, however, the most senior Liberal Democrat councillor in Harrogate and Knaresborough has been exposed for tweeting horrendous antisemitic comments.
Minister reply
Yes, it is incumbent on political leaders to act immediately when encountering antisemitism, not just when antisemitism gets exposed in the media or when pressure builds. Whether it is the example in Harrogate that my hon. Friend gave or, indeed, the recent example in Rochdale, acting immediately from principle is what counts.
Bury South
Question
Jewish people in my Greater Manchester constituency have had to endure a 163% increase in antisemitic hate crime. When we see a banner saying “Zionists not welcome”, we know what it means: “Jews not welcome”. Let us call it out for what it is.
Minister reply
I completely agree with the hon. Gentleman; very often, anti-Zionism is nothing more than anti-Jewish sentiment; it is antisemitism. The extra money for the Community Security Trust will apply in the current financial year; it will be a £3 million increase to £18 million in total and will also apply next year.
James Daly
Con
Bury North
Question
As one of the two Members of Parliament for the Metropolitan Borough of Bury, I support exactly what my colleague, the hon. Member for Bury South has said. Does my right hon. Friend share, therefore, my genuine disappointment about the weak, flip-flopping and changing position of the Labour leader?
Minister reply
As I said in response to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrogate and Knaresborough a few minutes ago, it is incumbent on political leaders—particularly those who aspire to the highest office in the land—to act quickly and from principle.
Debbie Abrahams
Lab
Oldham East and Saddleworth
Question
The figures from the CST are absolutely horrific. Antisemitism is absolutely unacceptable; hate crime, including Islamophobia, is absolutely unacceptable.
Minister reply
I think there is enough resource in policing. We have record police officer numbers—a total of 149,500 or so was reached in March last year—so we do have sufficient resources. The police are prioritising this issue and can work with the EHRC to take criminal action where the EHRC identifies examples of antisemitism.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
Question
Following the battle of Cable Street against Mosley’s blackshirts, the Public Order Act 1936 introduced measures that severely restricted the ability of Nazi-type movements to march in predominantly Jewish areas. Is the Minister satisfied that the police of today are sufficiently aware of the powers they have to stop marches taking routes that go through areas that are predominantly associated with a threatened community?
Minister reply
Yes, I am, and the police do it. For example, on Saturday, a convoy was planned from the north of England to north London, many parts of which have Jewish communities. The police stopped that convoy because they were concerned that it would inflame tensions and that the convoy would engage in intimidatory behaviour.
Barry Gardiner
Lab
Brent West
Question
The Minister will be aware that the largest Jewish school in Europe—JFS—is in my constituency, and I want to thank the CST for its vigilance and service on behalf of all the students and their families. Sadly, only last month a student was physically attacked by a group of youths outside the school, and those youths goaded the student about the situation in Palestine. Would the Minister agree that nothing can justify such an attack on an innocent schoolchild, and does he accept that, whatever one believes about the actions of the Israeli Government, racism and anti-Jewish hatred must not be allowed to hide behind any political mask?
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman is quite right. The events in Gaza, or indeed anywhere else in the world, provide no basis, reason or excuse at all to inflict racist abuse on citizens in this country. There is no justification whatsoever for antisemitic attacks on Jewish people in this country because of what is happening elsewhere in the world.
Matthew Offord
Con
Question
I pay tribute to the Community Security Trust, which is based in the Hendon constituency, for the work it does—not only the full-time staff, but the volunteers. Sadly, the number of offences we have seen does not surprise me. The continued protests on the streets of London are simply normalising antisemitism in the United Kingdom, but what bothers me the most are offences on university campuses; and more and more of my constituents are telling me that their children will not be going to university as a result. Some 245 universities have adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism, but others continue to refuse to do so. Does the Minister agree that there is no logical reason why any vice-chancellor would not do so?
Minister reply
I join my hon. Friend in paying tribute to the work of the Community Security Trust... I can see no reason at all why every vice-chancellor and every university should not adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism, and I call on them today to do so.
Warrington North
Question
This weekend, my heart broke to see some 20 officers and multiple police vans stationed outside my synagogue, and that this was deemed necessary for our protection. The conflict in the middle east is being used to radicalise people against British Jews online, in our schools and universities, and on our streets. Additional security funding is welcome, as is the funding for education settings, but what financial support and resource will be provided to local authorities for projects working across our faith and community settings at a local grassroots level to bring communities together, rather than allow them to be driven further apart?
Minister reply
The hon. Member is right to say that grassroots work is needed... The £7 million I referred to earlier is part of that, and organisations such as the CST, which the Government substantially fund or provide with quite a lot of money—£18 million a year—do good work in this area as well.
Chris Clarkson
Con
Question
I cannot have been the only one, the weekend before last, to have watched with a mixture of horror and incredulity as several Labour Front Benchers were sent out to justify retaining their Rochdale candidate, only for their leader to reverse his position 48 hours later based on the comments at a meeting and to praise himself for his decisive action. Then they had to suspend their candidate for Hyndburn for comments at the same meeting. If the right hon. and learned Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition is serious about having changed his party, as he repeatedly claims, does my right hon. Friend agree that he should publish a full list of the attendees of that meeting and a full transcript of what was said by whom, so that voters in the north-west can know who they are voting for and what they actually believe?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is quite right; I agree with what he has said. The Labour leader—the Leader of the Opposition—should publish a full list of who was at that meeting and a full transcript to show that he is serious about tackling antisemitism, and I call on him now to do that.
Christine Jardine
Lib Dem
Edinburgh West
Question
I welcome the comments today from the Government in clamping down on the astonishing and worrying spike we have seen in antisemitic incidents since 7 October. Antisemitism is vile and disgusting, and it infects every area of society—including, sadly, politics—and where we see it, we need to root it out and remove people from the process. To that end, I have written to the Minister for Women and Equalities, the right hon. Member for Saffron Walden (Kemi Badenoch), asking if we can have a cross-party discussion about how we deal with the problem in politics —because we cannot pretend that it does not exist; it does. I wrote to her in November and again last week, so can the Minister please take forward that suggestion, and see if the Minister for Women and Equalities will convene a cross-party discussion on the issue?
Minister reply
Of course, there are many all-party parliamentary groups and other cross-party groups taking an active interest in this area, and I am sure that the Home Affairs Committee will consider it as well. I think I am going to see my right hon. Friend the Member for Saffron Walden (Kemi Badenoch) at some point later this evening, so I will happily remind her about the hon. Lady’s letter.
Stephen Crabb
Con
Question
I thank the Minister for coming to the House and making this important statement. Does he agree that even more alarming than the sheer number of antisemitic incidents now being reported on a daily basis is creeping tolerance across so much of our national life and so many of our institutions—universities are just one example—of an acceptable level of antisemitism, so long as it is dressed up in a bit of Israel hatred? Does he agree that that is what we need to be focusing on tackling, because at the moment, as the CST report demonstrates, this country is moving in a very serious and dark direction?
Minister reply
Yes, I agree completely with my right hon. Friend. We need to show zero tolerance to all forms of antisemitism... That means always calling out antisemitism and racism wherever we see it.
Lilian Greenwood
Lab
Nottingham South
Question
As has already been said, the CST report includes shocking figures about the rise in antisemitism in university settings. The Union of Jewish Students has warned repeatedly about a climate of fear for Jewish students on campus, and the incidents in recent weeks will only have deepened that fear. Can the Minister say a little more about what he and his Government colleagues will do, working with our universities, to ensure that Jewish students can feel safe and secure during their time studying?
Minister reply
As we have discussed already, Members across the House are particularly concerned about what is happening on university campuses. The Department for Education has a five-point plan which includes withdrawing visas from international students who incite racial hatred. Anyone committing criminal offences should be removed from the UK under relevant Acts and sections. Vice-chancellors need to do more, and we have written to them asking them to take action against antisemitism.
Question
Does my right hon. Friend know that synagogues in the west end of London are being targeted by these so-called protesters, and that this has happened not only once or twice but now on multiple occasions—to the extent that they are even looking to see what time the services finish so that old people, the young, parents and so forth are being terrorised? This is not supporting Palestine; this is antisemitism—this is attacking Jewish people. I hope my right hon. Friend will call in the commissioner and sort it out.
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is right to raise that issue. Gathering outside a synagogue with the purpose of intimidating people coming out is completely unacceptable. The police have substantial powers to act in this area, and we have regular meetings with policing leaders where I will certainly be raising this point.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
I thank the Minister for his statement, for his robust answers and for his strength of purpose in supporting Jewish people across the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; he is very clearly doing that. Have discussions taken place with the devolved Administrations, in particular the Northern Ireland Assembly, regarding a support fund for those who feel unsafe in their current homes and need help to move to a safe place?
Minister reply
There is nothing peaceful about deliberately intimidating Jewish people going to synagogues. I would be happy to look into the question of the funding available for devolved Administrations to do work in this area.
Bob Blackman
Con
Harrow East
Question
The shocking rise in antisemitic attacks reported by the CST is bad enough, but the trouble is that that was last year and the escalation has continued into this year. People in London suffer the hate marches literally every Saturday—with banned organisations displaying their flags, placards that are clearly antisemitic and vile slogans uttered—and after those so-called peaceful protests disperse, some protestors go and intimidate people in the restaurants, bars and theatres throughout London, so much so now that my Jewish constituents are afraid to go into central London on a Saturday for fear of what they will suffer. There is a solution to this, and that is that anyone who is breaking the law should be arrested by the police.
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is quite right; members of the Jewish community do feel intimidated going into central London, particularly when the marches are happening, and that is not right and is not acceptable. We expect the police to apply relevant laws not sometimes but always, including displaying banned flags which is a criminal offence, inciting racial hatred or causing someone to suffer harassment, alarm or intimidation through threatening or abusive language.
Question
Let us be clear: antisemitism, like other forms of racism, has no place in the UK or elsewhere and the perpetrators of antisemitism should face the full force of the law. Does the Minister agree that, because an accusation of antisemitism is so serious, it must not be made either lightly or casually?
Minister reply
No one today in this House has labelled any group collectively as antisemitic. This is about individuals and their behaviour; where individuals engage in racism, we will call it out and the police will make arrests if appropriate.
Question
There is a growing and deeply unpleasant trend of personalising protests. My right hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood) has been subjected to that recently, as have other Members of the House. Just to raise his particular case, 80 or so protesters were screaming right outside his door, with a police car between them and his house, for over two hours. The police did nothing. I personally think that is wrong, and that the police need to get a grip and start arresting these people for being intimidating.
Minister reply
What happened to my right hon. Friend was completely unacceptable; it was intimidation attempting to coerce a Member of Parliament from doing their democratic duty. Various legal powers are relevant including section 42 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 which gives the police power to direct people outside a person’s house if they are behaving in a way that causes harassment, alarm or distress.
Question
I welcome everything my right hon. Friend has set out today and that the Government are trying to tighten the law where necessary, but evidence suggests it is not yet working. Every week we see protests and people marching through London with placards with antisemitic, conspiratorial tropes—the same things we saw in October, November, December and January. We know that antisemitism is still running rife on university campuses, in schools and in our communities.
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is right; where the law is broken, whether it's inciting racial hatred or intimidation, the police must act and make arrests which they have already done with 600 people arrested. Additionally we need to tackle ideology at source through education in schools.
Question
This report from the Community Security Trust is deeply troubling and depressing, as I think in some respects are aspects of our politics. There is the fact that today a well respected Member of this place is leaving because of anti-Jewish hatred. At the same time, we have a by-election that has effectively become a competition for who can be the biggest antisemite. That is deeply chilling. Does the Minister agree that it is incumbent on all political leaders and all political parties to show moral strength, stand up for what is right, take on hatred and not allow any element of their party to be captured by hatred, whatever the short-term electoral or political temptation?
Minister reply
Yes, my hon. Friend is absolutely right. Political leaders in particular have a special responsibility to act quickly, to act decisively, and to act not when it is expedient but when it is right. I was disappointed, as I have said, that the Leader of the Opposition took 48 hours or longer to act in the case of the Rochdale candidate. There is no excuse for that sort of delay. We all have an obligation to do the right thing and to do it quickly, whatever the circumstances.
Shadow Comment
Yvette Cooper
Shadow Comment
Yvette Cooper welcomes the minister's statement on antisemitism but expresses concerns over the outdated counter-extremism strategy. She highlights that there was a 257% increase in online incidents of antisemitism reported by CST, alongside an alarming rise in Islamophobic incidents as noted by Tell MAMA. The shadow agrees with zero tolerance for glorifying proscribed terrorist groups and supports the full force of law against hate crimes but calls on the Government to update their counter-extremism strategy and address gaps in legislation. She also raises concerns about the decision to downgrade non-crime hate incident reporting, particularly around antisemitism and Islamophobia, and urges a direct approach with social media companies like X (formerly Twitter) to tackle online antisemitism.
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