In the wake of recent deadly attacks targeting Britain’s Jewish communities, the nation is grappling with a resurgence of anti-Semitism that has shaken the sense of security long enjoyed by many. From the Manchester synagogue assault to the Bondi Beach tragedy, these horrific incidents have compounded the anxiety felt by Jewish Britons, prompting the US to consider granting asylum to those fleeing the perceived dangers.
To unpack this complex issue, The Update Desk spoke with David Feldman, a history professor and director of the Birkbeck Institute for the Study of Anti-Semitism (BISA). Feldman emphasises that anti-Semitism in Britain is deeply rooted, tracing back centuries beyond the nation’s mythical reputation as a safe haven during the Second World War.
“Britain’s relationship with its Jewish population goes back centuries – and is a far cry from the national myth of being a safe haven for Europe’s Jews during the second world war,” Feldman explains. Even as conditions improved over time, he notes that widespread everyday discrimination persisted well into the late 20th century, with private schools maintaining quotas on Jewish students and certain professions and clubs barring Jewish members.
The definition of anti-Semitism has also become a source of contention, with debates raging over whether criticism of Israel and Zionism should be considered anti-Semitic. Feldman describes this as “a breakdown in consensus” that has made the problem harder to address, as it fuels the “fear and anxiety being felt by some Jewish people.”
The data, however, presents a nuanced picture. While recorded anti-Semitic incidents have risen sharply, surveys suggest that anti-Semitism is actually diminishing within the general population. Feldman attributes this to the fact that most expressions of prejudice stem not from dedicated anti-Semites, but rather from a “reservoir of anti-Semitism” – casual assumptions and stereotypes deeply embedded in the culture.
“Security and protection need to be allied to programmes of education, and these programmes of education, to be effective, should place anti-racist principles and values front and centre,” Feldman argues. He believes the failure of parts of the left to acknowledge or address anti-Semitism within their own ranks reflects an inability to recognise the varied forms that racism can take.
As Britain grapples with this enduring challenge, Feldman calls for a re-examination of how anti-Semitism is confronted, moving beyond simplistic approaches and towards a more holistic, 360-degree anti-racism strategy. Tackling this deep-rooted issue, he contends, will require nuanced solutions that address the cultural underpinnings of prejudice, not just its most visible manifestations.
