Report charts ‘enduring anti-Jewish hate’ in UK during 2024 after post-Oct. 7 spike

British Jews experienced 3,528 antisemitic incidents during 2024, a figure that is second only to the 4,296 incidents recorded the year before, according to a new report by a nonprofit that monitors antisemitism and provides security for the Jewish community in Britain.

“Where 2023 saw record totals due to the unprecedented scale of the antisemitic spike immediately following the 7 October attack, the story of antisemitism in 2024 was one of enduring anti-Jewish hate throughout the year,” the Community Security Trust (CST) wrote in its report.

The report followed a survey published last month by the Campaign Against Antisemitism that found that only one-third of British Jews believe they have a long-term future in the United Kingdom, and half have considered leaving Britain in the past two years due to antisemitism. A majority of British Jews said they hide their Judaism due to antisemitism, with only 43% saying they feel welcome in the UK.

The 2024 figures reported by CST included 2,892 reports of abusive behavior, 250 threats, 157 cases of damage and desecration of Jewish property, and 27 incidents of antisemitic literature.

The report charted 201 incidents of assault in 2024, along with a case of extreme violence: The arson attack in March on a Hackney apartment that injured five and forced a family to throw their baby down to relatives. The 64-year-old suspect in that case was sentenced to life in prison in September.

A record 223 incidents targeted synagogues and their congregants during 2024, according to CST, among them 164 against synagogues, including congregants and staff, and 59 targeting congregants heading to or from prayers.

Some 260 cases involved schools, with 63 antisemitic incidents recorded at Jewish schools and a further 88 incidents targeting Jewish schoolchildren away from school. An additional 109 incidents were recorded affecting Jewish schoolchildren or staff at non-religious schools.

Additionally, 1,240 online antisemitic incidents were recorded in 2024, accounting for 35% of all antisemitic incidents, the report said.

“Antisemitism has no place in this country — not now and not ever,” said Home Secretary Yvette Cooper in response. “This report shows that antisemitic incidents in Britain remain unacceptably high, and we must redouble our efforts to root out the poison of antisemitism wherever it is found. This government will work tirelessly to tackle the scourge of antisemitism and ensure that Britain’s Jewish communities can always live in freedom from fear.”