Anti-semitic assaults at record high

By Marc Shoffman - Thursday 14th February 2008


Violent anti-semitic assaults rose to the highest level on record, according to new statistics released today.

Although figures from the Community Security Trust’s annual Anti-semitic Incidents Report showed a slight drop in anti-Jewish incidents overall from 594 to 547 during 2007, it also revealed there had been a record 114 assaults, a slight increase on the previous high of last year.

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In at least six cases, the victims required hospital treatment. And in the one case classed as involving extreme violence, defined as the victims life was endangered, an elderly rabbi in the north east of England was walking along a pavement when a car driver mounted the pavement at speed, knocked him over, then reversed and tried to run him over again. The rabbi required hospital treatment for injuries to his head, arms and legs. The driver of the car has so far not been identified.

In another assault, a visibly Jewish student was walking through east London at night when a group of attackers shouted anti-semitic abuse at him. They called him “kyke” and threw a glass bottle which hit him on the head. A piece of glass was later removed from his scalp and he was given stitches.

Of the total 114 incidents, the report claimed 78 targeted people who were visibly Jewish, 22 attacks were on congregants who were on their way to or from synagogue and 14 were on Jewish schoolchildren. The vast majority of the total were random, opportunistic attacks on Jewish people in public places.

The CST also recorded 62 cases of ‘Damage & Desecration’ of Jewish property, 24 ‘Threats’, 328 reports of ‘Abusive Behaviour’ and 19 cases of mass produced anti-semitic ‘Literature’. Those figures all represent a fall of up to 11 percent compared to 2006.

Mark Gardner, the CST’s Director of Communications, said: “The fall in the number of anti-semitic incidents is very welcome, but is less than we had hoped for. 2007 was still the second worst year on record and the worst ever for violent assaults. Over the past decade there has been a significant rise in the basic level of anti-semitic incidents in our society, and it is affecting the lives of far too many British Jews.”

Union of Jewish Students, Campaigns Organiser, Yair Zivan said: "This confirms our fears that antisemitism on British campuses is a major problem. The improved reporting is a clear sign that we are facing the problem head on and is a key component of our continued fight against antisemitism. We are demanding that stronger action is now taken to challenge the antisemitism that is all too prevalent on campus. UJS has been instrumental in passing progressive policy for fighting antisemitism, with the continued support of NUS."

"We have been and will continue to be at the forefront of promoting the welfare of Jewish Students. While we will continue to fight antisemitism our primary focus will remain on providing social, educational and cultural activities for Jewish students on campus."

A Spokesperson from the Department for Communities and Local Government said:
"While we welcome the fall in the overall number of antisemitic incidents in 2007, the wider findings from the Community Security Trust's report are of concern to the Government and serve as a reminder to us all that we still have more to do to eradicate anti-semitism from our society. Anti-semitism must be understood for what it is – and condemned. It should be dealt with promptly and effectively through the law.

“A Home Office spokesperson said: “We will not tolerate racially motivated crime of any kind. We understand the concerns of Jewish communities and support the police and prosecuting authorities in taking a tough line to stamp out anti-semitism wherever it occurs.

“We have one of the strongest legal frameworks in the world to protect people from discrimination or persecution on the grounds of their faith or race, and this was strengthened by the introduction of the Racial and Religious Hatred Act last year.”

The spokesperson added: “This is underpinned by Government strategies and multi-million pound funding to increase racial equality, understanding and dispelling the myths that may provoke attacks.”


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