Anti-Semitic attacks in UK rise to record high
A record number of anti-Semitic attacks took place in the UK last year, according to new figures.
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Friday, 05, Feb 2010 04:11
By Alex Plough
A record number of anti-Semitic attacks took place in the UK last year, according to new figures.
The Community Security Trust (CST) recorded 924 anti-Semitic incidents during 2009, the highest number since their records began and 55 per cent more than the previous high of 598 in 2006.
The organisation, which also provides security, training and advice for British Jews, found that a large number of incidents were a direct response to the Israeli invasion of Gaza.
Prime minister Gordon Brown called the statistics "deeply troubling", adding: "No strength of feeling can ever justify violent extremism or attacks and we will stand firm against those who would use anti-Israel feeling as an excuse or disguise for anti-Semitism and attacks on the Jewish community."
According to a report by the CST, the majority of incidents involved abusive behaviour and intimidation but over the year there were 124 violent assaults on Jewish people, including some 37 incidents were targeted at children on their way to school.
CST spokesman Mark Gardner said: "These record figures show that anti-Semitism is an increasingly significant problem for British Jews. The trend must be reversed and we call upon decent people to speak out against anti-Semitism in all its forms."
Conservative shadow schools secretary Michael Gove commented: "Everyone in public life, politicians, media figures, academics and community leaders, has to recognise that this growth in anti-Semitism is a stain on our society.
"History tells us that whenever Jewish individuals feel less safe, society as a whole is becoming less free. We must learn the lessons of the past."
Liberal Democrat's home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne added: "We must do everything we can to prevent foreign conflicts from spilling over on to British streets and campuses."