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Anat Ron-Kendall, the sole known British-Israeli dual national survivor of the October 7 terror attack, has vividly recounted her harrowing experience, condemning the rampant antisemitism that she asserts has taken hold in the UK. In her first public testimony since the attack, Ron-Kendall described a scene of chaos and despair amid the violence unleashed by Hamas militants, reflecting on both her traumatic ordeal and the subsequent climate of fear that has enveloped Jewish communities in Britain.
A Day of Horror: Recounting the Attack
On that fateful day in 2023, Ron-Kendall was visiting her family in Nahal Oz, the kibbutz of her upbringing, alongside her son, Jordan. As Hamas launched a brutal assault, the pair sought refuge in a safe room, where the sounds of gunfire and chaos filled the air. Believing she might not survive, Ron-Kendall made a heart-wrenching call to her husband, conveying final words of love to their children.
After enduring more than 12 hours of anxiety and uncertainty, she was evacuated, only to confront a scene that she described as “dystopian” and “chaotic.” “There were bodies I didn’t want to look at,” she recalled, emphasising the surreal and horrific nature of the violence she had witnessed. “It was just like something that you imagine in the movies.”
The Aftermath: A Legacy of Fear
Now, more than two years on from the attack, Ron-Kendall has articulated a profound sense of abandonment by the British government. She expressed her belief that antisemitism has become normalised, making her feel increasingly unsafe in her own country.
“I was abandoned by the British government at a time of total vulnerability,” she stated. “Antisemitism is running riot. Jewish students are suffering; communities are affected every day since.” Ron-Kendall’s poignant remarks highlight a growing concern among Jewish communities across the UK regarding their safety and acceptance in society.
The updated report on the October 7 assault, overseen by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Israel, reinforces Ron-Kendall’s testimony. It not only lists the names of the 18 British nationals who lost their lives during the attack but also sheds light on the experiences of survivors like Emily Damari, who endured over 400 days in captivity following the assault.
The Rise of Antisemitism in the UK
Recent statistics have painted a troubling picture of antisemitism in Britain. Official figures indicate that Jewish individuals are the most targeted religious group for hate crimes, with a staggering 106 incidents per 10,000 population reported to police in the year leading up to March 2025. The Community Security Trust (CST) has also reported a record high of antisemitic incidents in 2023, with 3,700 cases documented in 2025 alone.
The government has acknowledged the alarming trend but maintains that it will not tolerate the spread of antisemitism. A spokesperson emphasised ongoing efforts to combat this scourge across various sectors, including schools and universities, while pledging continued collaboration with Jewish communities to address this pressing issue.
A Call to Remember
Ron-Kendall, whose familial history includes a grandfather who fought valiantly in the Second World War, believes it is crucial for people to understand the reality of the October 7 attack. “It happened to me. I am a testament that it did happen, and I survived it,” she asserted, advocating for recognition and remembrance of the tragic events that unfolded that day.
Lord Andrew Roberts, a key figure behind the updated report, echoed this sentiment, stating that the document serves as a vital resource to preserve the truth against denial and distortion. “The purpose of commissioning our report has always been to chronicle the events of 7 October with clarity,” he affirmed, underscoring the importance of maintaining historical accuracy in light of rising antisemitism.
Why it Matters
Ron-Kendall’s testimony and the accompanying report underscore a critical moment in the fight against antisemitism in the UK. With hate crimes on the rise, the voices of survivors like Ron-Kendall serve as poignant reminders of the human cost of intolerance. As society grapples with these issues, the imperative to listen, learn, and act against antisemitism has never been more urgent. The experiences shared by survivors not only foster awareness but also call for a collective responsibility to ensure that such atrocities are neither forgotten nor repeated.
