The Jewish community in Britain has been failed by a culture of complacency, according to a leading Jewish publication, following a recent antisemitic attack in Golders Green. The Jewish News expressed frustration at the predictable responses from politicians and the press, such as 'We stand with the Jewish community' and 'Thoughts and prayers', which many see as hollow clichés.
However, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has defended such expressions, arguing that they are sincere and necessary. He visited the scene of the attack and called for tougher action, including prosecuting those who use phrases like 'globalising the intifada'. He said: 'If you stand alongside people who call for globalising the intifada, you are calling for terrorism against Jews... It is racism, extreme racism, and it has left a minority community in this country scared, intimidated, wondering if they belong.'
The Jewish News argues that the real problem is a sense of helplessness and acceptance of violence, similar to the early days of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. It warns that if authorities give the impression of an 'acceptable level of violence', it drains the will to act. The publication calls for an 'all levers approach' across government and society, far beyond the extra £25 million announced for security at Jewish institutions.
Home Secretary Ms Mahmood has described the situation as an emergency, and the Prime Minister has convened meetings to expedite arrests and court proceedings. However, critics say more is needed, particularly in tackling radicalisation. The suspect in the latest attack had been referred to the Prevent programme, raising questions about its effectiveness.
Antisemitism in Britain stems from both Islamist extremists and neo-Nazis, and the country has robust laws against incitement to racial and religious hatred. Yet such crimes are rarely prosecuted. The Jewish News concludes that unless more is done, future attacks could be far more deadly, and British society must decide whether it will tolerate populist rhetoric that fuels hatred.
