Earlier this week, I met with Mark Levy from the Jewish Leadership Council and representatives from the Community Security Trust (CST), a charity that protects the Jewish community from terrorism and antisemitism. This charity is unique in its model as it trains and advises Jewish communal organisations, schools and synagogues throughout the UK against antisemitic attacks.
The CST have provided shatter-proof glass, alarms and other security measures in Jewish communal buildings and schools, as well as providing security trained professionals outside synagogues during services. During the meeting Jonny Newton from CST, Marc Levy from the Jewish Leadership Council and I discussed trends in antisemitic incidents in the UK and the need for Jewish communities to feel protected in the face of potential violence. CST’s annual Antisemitic Incidents Report (the most authoritative study of antisemitic hate crime and recognised by police, media and government) shows worrying evidence that antisemitic attacks increase when there are terrorist threats or incidents overseas.
It was made clear that aggression towards the Jewish community is not just physical, but there are countless stories of online abuse. The Online Harms White Paper came as welcome news to CST when it was published in April, as it outlines Government aims to make it easier to regulate the harmful and/or illegal behaviours of online users.
I deeply believe that it is completely unacceptable for any community to face hate crime based on their race or religion, and it’s shocking to know that it still happens in this day and age. The Online Harms White Paper clearly shows the Government’s determination to crack down on internet users who exploit the web, as well as their aims to protect those who are vulnerable to online abuse.
