On March 30, the United Kingdom announced an increase in funding to protect Jewish institutions such as synagogues and Jewish schools. The funding will increase by 7.1% for 2023-24, rising
from £14 million to £15 million. This is a positive step in protecting the Jewish community, which has faced high levels of antisemitic incidents in the UK.
While there has been a 27% decrease in antisemitic incidents in the UK, they still remain at high levels. According to government hate-crime statistics for 2021-22, 23% of all religiously motivated hate crimes were against Jews, despite Jews making up less than 1% of the religious population in the UK. This highlights the need for continued action to protect the Jewish community.
The funding will be used for new surveillance systems, alarms and guards to protect synagogues and Jewish schools. Additionally, the government announced plans to implement a task force on Jewish community police, crime and security. This task force will work towards reducing hate crime against the Jewish community and bringing criminals to justice.
In recent years, there has been a worrying rise in antisemitism in the UK. A poll from last year found that 34% of Britons aged 18 to 24, and 20% of the general population, believe to some extent that Jews have inordinate control over the world's banking and financial systems. These beliefs are not only unfounded but also dangerous, as they can lead to discrimination and prejudice against Jews.
In response to this rise in antisemitism, British Interior Minister Suella Braverman emphasized the need to take stronger measures against those who threaten the peace and safety of Jewish communities. The increase in funding to protect Jewish institutions and the implementation of a task force on Jewish community police, crime and security are positive steps towards this goal.
In conclusion, the increase in funding to protect Jewish institutions in the UK and the implementation of a task force on Jewish community police, crime and security are important steps towards reducing hate crime against the Jewish community. While there has been a decrease in antisemitic incidents, they still remain at high levels, highlighting the need for continued action to protect the Jewish community. It is crucial that the UK government continues to take strong measures to combat antisemitism and protect its Jewish citizens.