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Rising Antisemitism in London’s Golders Green Sparks Fear and Anger in Jewish Community
LONDON – In 2026, the atmosphere in parts of London like Golders Green, a center of the UK’s Jewish population, has grown tense and uncertain. Jack Hur, 32, who runs Sulam’s Kosher Food Store, reveals that he no longer feels safe openly displaying his Star of David necklace or consistently wearing his kippah in public. “It depends where I am,” he says, highlighting a growing sense of vulnerability among British Jews.
This unease follows a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents across the country, especially since the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and the ensuing conflict in Gaza. According to the Community Security Trust, reported antisemitic cases more than doubled in 2023, with 3,700 incidents recorded. Recent attacks, including stabbings near synagogues, have intensified concerns.
Just this week in Golders Green, two people were stabbed in an attack police have labeled as terrorism. Authorities arrested Essa Suleiman, a Somali-born man previously linked to a counterterrorism program. The incident prompted the UK government to elevate the national threat level to “severe,” signaling a high likelihood of further attacks.
Laurence Taylor, head of counterterrorism at the Metropolitan Police, acknowledged a rise in threats from various extremist ideologies, with a particularly heightened risk targeting Jewish and Israeli individuals and institutions.
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis echoed these fears, stating bluntly, “If you are visibly Jewish, you’re not safe.” Some recent attacks have been claimed by a group allegedly connected to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, though the full extent of their involvement remains unclear.
For many in Britain’s Jewish community of roughly 290,000, these developments are deeply unsettling. Historically, British Jews have been well-integrated and influential-figures like 19th-century Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli and the Kindertransport rescue efforts during World War II are proud chapters in their story. Yet today, conversations among residents of Golders Green reveal frustration, anger, and growing mistrust.
On a recent Friday morning near where the stabbings occurred, locals gathered beneath Union Flags, noting an unusual police presence that many expect will soon wane. Alvin Ormonde, a respected community member, expressed skepticism about sustained protection, while others criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who faced heckling during a recent visit. Starmer has condemned the antisemitism and acknowledged the fear in the community, calling it “extreme racism” that threatens their sense of belonging.
A major point of contention is the government’s response to frequent pro-Palestinian demonstrations in London, which some describe as “hate marches” due to instances of antisemitic slogans. Organizers deny targeting Jews, insisting their protests oppose only the Israeli government.
Amid these tensions, some individuals in the community express distrust and animosity toward Muslims-a sentiment not universally shared or endorsed by Jewish leaders, many of whom advocate for interfaith harmony. The Board of Deputies of British Jews emphasizes its longstanding collaboration with Muslim groups to combat all forms of hatred.
Despite the turmoil, daily life continues, though more quietly. Shopkeepers report quieter streets ahead of the Sabbath, and synagogues maintain heightened security-a somber marker of the times.
Incidents of antisemitism have also surfaced in politics, with allegations against prominent figures on both the right and left. Social media further amplifies hostile rhetoric that was once largely taboo.
The cumulative effect is a community deeply unsettled. A recent poll found that 61% of British Jews have contemplated leaving the country due to safety concerns. As one woman remarked, many parents now urge their children to hide visible signs of their faith to avoid attacks.
Outside Beth Shmuel Synagogue, men stand guard, a stark reminder of the reality facing British Jews today. “We may have to move to a different country,” one guardian reflected, “but it’s the wider British society that will suffer in the long term from what’s happening here.”
As Britain grapples with rising antisemitism and extremist threats, the resilience and security of its Jewish community remain urgent concerns for the nation’s social fabric.