Rising antisemitism in the United Kingdom is becoming an increasingly serious concern for society, Jewish communities and law enforcement agencies. Security arrangements for Jewish
institutions, religious gatherings and public events are becoming more challenging, while concerns about potential threats have led to a reduction in the number of academic, cultural and community events involving Jewish organisations. Against this background, the UK authorities are stepping up efforts to prevent the spread of antisemitic rhetoric and ensure that religious and educational institutions do not become platforms for promoting hatred.
The latest example is the decision by the Charity Commission for England and Wales to issue an official warning to the Lewisham Islamic Centre in London over sermons containing antisemitic and inflammatory material. The regulatory body announced on Thursday that the warning had been issued on 20 October following an investigation prompted by complaints about the charity's activities.
According to the Commission, the warning will remain in force for 12 months. Although it does not immediately impose financial or other sanctions, the regulator stressed that failure to comply could result in further measures, including restrictions on the organisation's activities and, in more serious circumstances, the appointment of an interim manager or government intervention.
The Commission said its warning was connected, but not limited, to two sermons hosted by the charity that contained material considered inflammatory and divisive and not in the organisation's best interests. The regulator did not identify the specific sermons that triggered its investigation.
Several controversial statements associated with the centre have previously attracted media attention. According to Sky News, one of its resident imams spoke about suffering at the hands of 'oppressors and the Zionists' following the Hamas-led terrorist attacks against Israel on 7 October 2023.
In August 2024, another imam at the centre, Ashraf Dabous, reportedly alleged that Zionists were manipulating participants in the riots in Southport, according to The Times. Earlier, in April 2024, the centre hosted American preacher Tom Facchine, who reportedly claimed that Zionists controlled British schools and hospitals, The Jewish Chronicle reported.
The Charity Commission's intervention reflects growing concern about the responsibility of religious organisations to ensure that their activities comply with charity law and do not promote division or hostility between communities.
The case also comes amid broader regulatory scrutiny of charitable organisations operating in the UK. In August, the Commission announced that it had escalated its investigation into the Al-Khair Foundation, following allegations of links to Hamas. The investigation followed a complaint submitted in July by UK Lawyers for Israel. At the same time, the regulator reportedly began examining eight pro-Israel charities accused of collecting donations for Israelis living in Judea and Samaria. The organisations concerned were not publicly identified.
The issue is particularly sensitive given the importance of maintaining constructive relations between Britain's Jewish and Muslim communities. Despite numerous examples of interfaith cooperation, joint initiatives and dialogue, incidents involving antisemitic rhetoric in religious settings demonstrate that tensions and extremist narratives remain a challenge.
For Jewish communities across Britain, the consequences of rising antisemitism extend beyond individual incidents. Increased security requirements at synagogues, schools, universities and cultural institutions place additional financial and organisational pressure on community organisations. Security concerns can also discourage participation in public gatherings, academic conferences and cultural activities, restricting opportunities for Jewish life and community engagement.
The government and law enforcement agencies therefore face the dual challenge of protecting religious freedom while ensuring that institutions receiving charitable status do not provide a platform for hatred or incitement.
The Lewisham Islamic Centre case highlights the role of the Charity Commission in addressing these concerns through existing regulatory powers. Its intervention also sends a broader message that organisations operating in the charitable sector must take responsibility for the content of events they host and ensure that religious platforms are not used to promote antisemitism.
Ultimately, tackling antisemitism requires not only effective policing and legal oversight but also sustained cooperation between religious communities, educational institutions and civil society. Protecting Jewish communities and preserving interfaith relations are essential elements of ensuring that Britain's multicultural society remains safe, inclusive and tolerant.
