Alex Brummer says rising antisemitism leaves British Jews feeling unsafe
Alex Brummer argues that antisemitism has grown in Britain since the Hamas attacks of 7 October 2023, leaving Jewish people feeling increasingly unsafe. He compares the current atmosphere with the early years of Nazism and says political rhetoric and hostility towards Israel have deepened his community’s fears.
He recalls that the attacks killed 1,200 people and describes visiting sites in Israel shortly afterwards. Brummer criticises a Green Party conference motion calling Zionism racism and says Israel has 10.3 million people, including more than 2.1 million Arab citizens; he also says Arabs make up as much as half of some health professions there. His aunt and father, who survived Auschwitz and found refuge in Britain, had regarded the UK as exceptionally tolerant.
- Brummer says British Jews feel increasingly under siege.
- He links the change to post-October 7 hostility and political rhetoric.
- His family’s refuge in Britain contrasts with his fears today.
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Hamas, a Palestinian militant organisation, launched a major attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, killing approximately 1,200 people. The attack triggered a significant military conflict that has sparked intense international and domestic political debate in Britain.
Since these events, the British Jewish community has reported a marked rise in antisemitism and increased hostility. The political tensions surrounding the Middle East conflict have apparently intensified antisemitic incidents and rhetoric within British society.
For Britain's Jewish community, concerns about antisemitism carry particular historical significance. Many Jewish families arrived in Britain over the past century as refugees fleeing persecution in Europe, establishing a community that viewed the country as a place of refuge and tolerance.
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The case for
British Jewish communities have documented a genuine increase in antisemitic incidents, harassment, and hostile rhetoric following October 7, 2023. The concern is that legitimate criticism of Israel has become entangled with historical antisemitic tropes and conspiracy theories, leaving Jewish citizens collectively blamed for state policies. When political movements adopt rhetoric that conflates Israel with all Jewish people or echoes antisemitic stereotypes, this poses measurable threats to community safety and wellbeing.
The case against
Critics argue that much discourse labelled antisemitic represents legitimate political opposition to Israeli government policies or advocacy for Palestinian rights. They maintain that distinguishing between valid criticism of state actions and prejudice against Jewish people is essential for honest political debate, and that attributing antisemitic intent to pro-Palestinian activism risks suppressing lawful speech. They contend that the vast majority criticising Israel do so from human rights concerns rather than prejudice, and that equating such criticism with antisemitism can obscure rather than illuminate these complex geopolitical issues.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “After surviving Auschwitz, my family found refuge and kindness in Britain. Now, with the toxic fallout from Oct 7 fuelling hatred of Jews once more, I fear they would not be so welcome today: ALEX BRUMMER”.