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Anat Ron-Kendall, the sole British-Israeli dual national known to have survived the harrowing October 7 assault, has publicly condemned the alarming rise of antisemitism in the UK. Speaking candidly for the first time since the attack, she recounted the traumatic events of that fateful day, which left her father, Shlomo Ron, dead and her sense of security shattered. Her testimony sheds light on the ongoing crisis of antisemitism that she asserts has become pervasive in British society.
A Day of Dystopia
On October 7, 2023, Ron-Kendall was visiting her childhood home in Nahal Oz, accompanied by her son, Jordan, when Hamas militants launched a devastating raid. Seeking refuge in a secure room, she was engulfed in a nightmare of escalating gunfire and chaos. In the midst of the terror, she managed to reach out to her husband, delivering a final message of love to their children, convinced that survival was improbable.
More than 12 hours later, when she was finally evacuated, the scene that greeted her was one of utter devastation. “It was like a film, a scene of dystopia, a scene of chaos,” she recalled. “There were bodies which I didn’t want to look at.” Ron-Kendall’s account has been included in an updated report commissioned by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Israel and led by historian Lord Andrew Roberts, which aims to document the events and legacy of the attack.
Feeling Unsafe in the UK
Now, almost two years after the tragedy, Ron-Kendall expressed a profound sense of insecurity in her home country. She lamented that antisemitism has become normalised, stating, “I was abandoned by the British government at a time of total vulnerability.” She highlighted a troubling atmosphere where Jewish students face hostility and communities are under constant threat.
“I cannot feel safe in a country that normalises this kind of behaviour,” she asserted, reflecting on her return to the UK. “I had no recognition. I came back, expected to be grateful that I survived, and just function in my everyday life.” Her words echo the sentiments of many who have experienced similar atrocities, yet feel unsupported in their aftermath.
The latest edition of the APPG report not only recounts Ron-Kendall’s experience but also includes the harrowing story of British-Israeli Emily Damari, who was taken hostage for over 400 days following the October 7 attack. This report serves as a critical reminder of the ongoing human impact of the events of that day, detailing the trauma and suffering inflicted upon individuals and families.
The Alarming Statistics
The statistics surrounding antisemitism in the UK are equally disheartening. The most recent data from police in England and Wales indicate that Jewish individuals are disproportionately targeted by religious hate crimes, with 106 incidents recorded per 10,000 population. Furthermore, the Community Security Trust (CST) reported a staggering 3,700 antisemitic incidents in 2025, marking a 4% increase from the previous year, with the total number of incidents reaching an all-time high in 2023.
Lord Roberts emphasised the importance of the APPG report in preserving the memory of the October 7 attack. “As we continue to uncover yet more horrors, the updated report serves as a permanent memorial,” he stated, underscoring the necessity of documenting these events with precision to combat denialism and distortion.
Government Response
In light of these alarming trends, a Government spokesperson acknowledged the troubling normalisation of antisemitism in the UK. “We are tackling antisemitism in schools, colleges, universities, and the NHS, and we will continue to work closely with Jewish communities to ensure that our efforts fix this scandal,” they asserted, aiming to address the growing concerns of the Jewish community.
Why it Matters
The testimonies of survivors like Anat Ron-Kendall are crucial in highlighting the ongoing threat of antisemitism and the need for urgent action. As antisemitic incidents continue to rise, understanding the personal stories behind the statistics is essential for fostering a society that values safety, respect, and recognition for all its members. The legacy of the October 7 attack cannot be forgotten, and the voices of those affected must be amplified to ensure that such horrors are neither repeated nor overlooked.
