Total does not include further increase in July triggered by
reactions to conflict in Israel and Gaza
The first six months of 2014 saw a 36% increase in the number of
antisemitic incidents recorded in the United Kingdom, according to a new CST report.
CST recorded 304 antisemitic hate crimes and hate incidents from January to
June 2014, compared to 223 incidents in the corresponding period of 2013. A
further 152 reports were received by CST but were not deemed to be antisemitic
and are not included in this total.
This total of 304 incidents does not include a further increase in July
triggered by antisemitic reactions to the conflict in Israel and Gaza. Over 130
incidents have been recorded in July, making it the highest monthly total since
February 2009; which was itself a reaction to a period of conflict in Israel
and Gaza.
CST has recorded antisemitic incidents in the UK since 1984. The highest
total for the first six months of the year was 629 incidents in 2009. There
were 294 antisemitic incidents recorded in the first half of 2012 and 325
during the same period in 2011. There is no clear explanation for the sharp
rise in recorded incidents in the first half of 2014, which may reflect both a
rise in the number of incidents taking place and better reporting of incidents
to CST and the Police.
The 304 antisemitic incidents include 22 violent antisemitic assaults, a
fall of 32% from the 29 violent assaults recorded in the first half of 2013 and
the lowest total for the January-June period since 2001. None were classified
as ‘Extreme Violence’, which would involve a threat to life or grievous bodily
harm (GBH).
There were 27 incidents of Damage & Desecration of Jewish property;
232 incidents of Abusive Behaviour, which includes verbal abuse, antisemitic
graffiti, antisemitic abuse via The number of antisemitic incidents recorded in
Greater London from January to June 2014 rose by 53%, from 94 antisemitic
incidents in the first half of 2013 to 144 in the first half of 2014; while in
Greater Manchester the number of incidents increased by 16%, with 96 recorded
in the first six months of 2014 compared to 83 in the same period in 2013.
Fifty-four of the 304 antisemitic incidents recorded involved the use of
social media to transmit antisemitic threats or abuse, compared to 35 such
incidents in the same period of 2013. Incidents involving the use of social
media are only recorded by CST if they have been reported by a member of the
public who fulfils the role of a victim or witness; if the comment shows
evidence of antisemitic content, motivation or targeting; and if the offender
is based in the United Kingdom or has directly targeted a UK-based victim.
