Anat Ron-Kendall, the only known British-Israeli dual national residing in the UK who survived the harrowing Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, has publicly shared her traumatic experience for the first time. Ron-Kendall’s poignant testimony highlights a troubling rise in antisemitism across Britain, which she claims is now “running riot”. Her father, Shlomo Ron, was tragically killed during the assault, and her reflections come amidst the release of an updated report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Israel, led by historian Lord Andrew Roberts.
A Day of Dystopia and Chaos
On that fateful day in October, Ron-Kendall was visiting her parents in Nahal Oz with her son, Jordan. The atmosphere of familial warmth swiftly transformed into one of terror when Hamas militants stormed the area. Seeking refuge in a safe room, she was engulfed in a cacophony of gunfire and chaos, her thoughts consumed with the fear of never seeing her children again.
“I had to call my husband to say goodbye, convinced I wouldn’t survive,” she recounted, reflecting on the intensity of that moment. After more than 12 hours of confinement, when she was finally evacuated, the scene that greeted her was nothing short of apocalyptic. “It was a scene of chaos, one I could only liken to something out of a movie,” she said, her voice heavy with emotion as she described the grim reality of bodies scattered around her.
The Harsh Reality of Living in the UK
Now, more than two years on from the attack, Ron-Kendall has expressed a profound sense of insecurity in the UK, feeling that antisemitism has become alarmingly normalised. “I felt abandoned by the British government during my time of vulnerability,” she said, emphasising the disconnect between her traumatic experience and the lack of governmental acknowledgment.
“The situation for Jewish students and communities has worsened, and it feels as though we are living under constant threat,” she continued. She articulated her frustration at returning to the UK only to be expected to move on from such a life-altering event without adequate support or recognition for her suffering.
An Urgent Call for Awareness
The updated report from the APPG aims to document the events of that tragic day with precision, ensuring that the memories of those lost and the experiences of survivors like Ron-Kendall are not forgotten. The report also includes the story of Emily Damari, another victim who faced 400 days of captivity following the attack.
“People need to understand that the October 7 attack was a real and devastating event. It happened to me, and I survived to tell the tale,” Ron-Kendall asserted, underlining the importance of raising awareness and fostering understanding about the ongoing issues faced by the Jewish community.
Lord Andrew Roberts reinforced the report’s significance, stating, “As we uncover more details, this report serves as a permanent tribute and a critical resource for educators and the public to combat denialism and distortion of the facts surrounding that day.”
The Rising Tide of Antisemitism
Recent statistics illustrate a troubling trend: Jewish individuals face the highest rates of religiously motivated hate crimes in England and Wales. According to the Home Office, there were 106 religious hate crimes per 10,000 people targeted at Jews in the year ending March 2025. The Community Security Trust (CST) revealed that 2025 marked one of the highest annual totals for antisemitic incidents, with a staggering 3,700 reported cases, reflecting a 4% increase from the previous year.
The CST’s findings indicate that 2023 remains the peak year for antisemitic incidents, coinciding with the October 7 attack, which catalysed a significant spike in recorded cases. Alarmingly, the data also revealed that for the first time, over 200 instances of anti-Jewish hate were reported in every month of the year.
In response to the alarming rise of antisemitism, a government spokesperson acknowledged the issue, stating, “Antisemitism is becoming normalised in the UK, but the Government will not stand by while this scourge spreads.” They affirmed ongoing efforts to combat antisemitism within educational institutions and beyond, pledging to work closely with Jewish communities to address these challenges.
Why it Matters
In a climate where antisemitism is increasingly prevalent, Ron-Kendall’s testimony serves as both a stark reminder of individual trauma and a call to action for society at large. Her story underscores the urgent necessity for increased awareness and the imperative to confront hate in all its forms. As communities grapple with rising tensions, the need for solidarity and understanding becomes ever more critical, ensuring that such tragedies are not repeated and that the voices of survivors are heard and respected.
