Prime Minister Keir Starmer convened an urgent meeting with representatives of key Jewish organizations at Downing Street to address the "abhorrent rise of antisemitism" and explore

government strategies to counter this alarming trend.

The meeting, held on Friday morning, included leaders from the Board of Deputies, the Jewish Leadership Council (JLC), the Union of Jewish Students (UJS), and the Community Security Trust (CST). Discussions emphasized the need for government action to promote social cohesion and combat extremism from diverse sources, including far-right, far-left, and Islamist groups.

The session included a broad agenda:

- Concerns about increased antisemitic incidents tied to Israel’s conflict with Iran and its affiliates.

- Calls to ban Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

- Discussion on the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) recent decisions impacting Israeli leaders and potential legal protections for them abroad.

- The plight of hostages, including British nationals, held by Hamas.

The leaders highlighted escalating tensions, particularly from extremist activists like Palestine Action targeting Jewish schools, community spaces, and workplaces. They expressed worry about rising hostility in society and an increased threat to national security.

Prime Minister Starmer was described as "engaged and concerned" as leaders discussed legislative enhancements for prosecuting hate crimes and strengthening public safety measures. He reiterated his commitment to interfaith collaboration, welcomed the Board of Deputies’ new Commission on Antisemitism, and acknowledged concerns about incidents on university campuses.

Starmer also shared insights from his meetings with the family of British-Israeli hostage Emily Demari, emphasizing the personal toll of Hamas’s actions. Additionally, community leaders raised concerns about rising national insurance costs affecting the charitable sector.

Communal leaders stressed that antisemitism poses a risk not only to the Jewish community but to the UK's national security. They highlighted harassment and vandalism targeting businesses with real or perceived links to Israel, as well as intimidation against politicians and other public figures.

Jewish leaders plan further meetings with other government departments, including discussions on antisemitism in the NHS with the Health Secretary. They released a joint statement expressing gratitude for the Prime Minister’s swift response and commitment to tackling the issue:

“We conveyed our shared view that the continued crossing of red lines is not just a threat to Jewish security—it is a threat to national security. We found the Prime Minister to be informed, concerned, and engaged. Together, we are committed to reclaiming our streets, campuses, and community spaces from racist thugs, ensuring a secure and thriving future for the UK Jewish community.” Photo by Quinn Dombrowski from Berkeley, USA, Wikimedia commons.