The UK government's terrorism adviser, Jonathan Hall KC, has told the BBC that attacks on Jewish people constitute “the biggest national security emergency” in nearly a decade, because British Jews are “now thinking they cannot live a normal life.” This follows a series of incidents, the most recent being Wednesday's stabbing of two Jewish men - Shloime Rand, 34, and Moshe Shine, 76 - in Golders Green, north London, which police have declared a terrorist incident.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, however, disagrees with the “national emergency” label - unless you count it as an emergency for her personally in her role, which she does. She told BBC Breakfast that the phrase has “particular connotations, including suspending elements of democracy,” and “I don't believe this is where we are today.” Still, she insists the government is treating the issue as an “absolute priority” and has announced an extra £25 million for police patrols and security around synagogues, schools, and community centres.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, at a meeting of criminal justice agencies, said “this was not a one-off” but “a series of attacks on our Jewish community,” and called for a “swift and visible” response. He added that fighting antisemitism is about “what sort of a country do we want to live in,” which is a question that seems to be getting a rather unpleasant answer lately.
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis said Wednesday's attack “proves that if you are visibly Jewish, you're not safe,” and called for “meaningful action” on root causes. The Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council said they were “sickened” and that security measures are “not the answer.” Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp called it “shameful” and agreed with Hall that it's a national emergency, adding “words are no longer enough.” Reform UK leader Nigel Farage also demanded “real action.”
Labour MP Sarah Sackman, who represents the affected area and is Jewish herself, told BBC Newsnight: “When I take my children to synagogue… I find myself holding and gripping their hand a little bit tighter. I know I'm not alone in that.” Meanwhile, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu's office called on the UK to do more, referencing “weakness” in the face of repeated attacks. A 45-year-old British national of Somali origin has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.