Antisemitic assaults in Britain surged by 82% in first six months of 2026 — report

Antisemitic assaults in Britain surged by 82% in the first half of 2026, with 135 recorded attacks, according to a Community Security Trust report. Overall incidents rose 21% to 1,926, the second-highest first-half total on record. The report cites the Golders Green stabbing and arson attacks linked to Iran's IRGC. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp called it a 'national emergency.'

A new report by the Community Security Trust (CST) shows a 21% rise in antisemitic incidents in the UK during the first half of 2026, reaching 1,926 recorded incidents, the second-highest total for that period on record. Physical assaults surged by 82% to 135, school incidents jumped 59% to 178, and synagogue-related incidents rose 31%. The report highlights the terror stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green on April 29, which triggered 71 further incidents, and a series of arson attacks on synagogues and Jewish-linked properties, including Hatzola ambulances, linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp condemned the situation as a 'national emergency,' stating that 'thousands of Jewish families living in fear in their own country is completely unacceptable.' The CST notes the average of 321 monthly incidents is nearly double the pre-October 7, 2023, figure.