The Community Security Trust (CST), a security support organization for the Jewish community, has reported a 21% increase in anti-Jewish hate incidents across the UK in the first half of 2026 compared to last year. A total of 1,926 incidents were recorded, with some 41% referencing the conflict in Israel or Palestine. Policing Minister Sarah Jones described the numbers as "appalling", while CST chief executive Mark Gardner warned that the attacks are not just directed at British Jews but also threaten Britain's society. The rise in antisemitic incidents is part of a global trend, with the UK recording the biggest increase last year among countries with major Jewish populations outside Israel.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-21,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
In the first half of 2026, the number of antisemitic incidents reported across the UK increased by 21%, reaching a total of 1,926 cases, according to figures from the Community Security Trust (CST). This marks the second-highest number of such incidents ever recorded in the UK. The CST provides security support to the Jewish community and has been collecting data since 1984. The increase in antisemitic incidents includes a series of arson attacks against Jewish organizations and synagogues in London, including four volunteer ambulances set alight in March and two visibly Jewish men stabbed** nearby in April. Policing Minister Sarah Jones described the numbers as "appalling" and said they indicate that people are living in fear due to their identity. The CST has recorded noticeable surges in antisemitic incidents following these events, with the highest surge occurring in April.
Written for “Antisemitic Incidents Rise” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The language used to describe the incidents and their causes is generally neutral and condemning of hatred, with phrases such as 'appalling', 'living in fear just for being who they are', and 'attacks on Britain and our society'. The use of terms like 'anti-Jewish racism' and 'anti-Semitic hate' also suggests a critical stance towards bigotry. However, the framing of the conflict in the Middle East as a contributing factor is relatively even-handed.
Written under an earlier scoring contract, which gave a paragraph
rather than checkable quotes. Re-analysing this article replaces it.
Leaning score -0.23 for article 459 · logged 2026-08-05
- Published
The number of antisemitic incidents recorded across the UK since the start of the year is up by a fifth compared to last year, figures show.
asserted
figures → publish → year
The Community Security Trust (CST), an organisation that provides security support to the Jewish community, recorded 1,926 incidents of anti-Jewish hate across the UK in the first six months of 2026.
asserted
that → provide → 2026
It represents a 21% increase on the number of similar incidents reported in the first half of last year.
asserted
It → represent → year
It also marks the second highest total of antisemitic hate incidents ever recorded by CST in the first half of any year since the organisation began collecting data in 1984.
asserted
organisation → mark → 1984
Policing Minister Sarah Jones said the numbers were "appalling" and showed people "living in fear just for being who they are".
asserted
they → say → fear
The incidents logged in the first few months of 2026 include a series of arson attacks against Jewish organisations and synagogues in London.
asserted
incidents → log → London
Four volunteer ambulances were set alight in Golders Green in March.
asserted
ambulances → set → March
The following month two visibly Jewish men were stabbed nearby, in an attack which was treated as an act of terrorism.
asserted
which → stab → terrorism
The CST said it recorded noticeable surges in antisemitic incidents following these events, with the highest daily total following the double stabbing on 29 April.
asserted
it → say → April
Hatred continues to be directed at British Jews at a higher level than before 7 October 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel and the war in Gaza began.
asserted
war → continue → Gaza
Some 41% of the incidents recorded by the CST used anti-Jewish language or motive at the same time as making reference to either the conflict, Israel, Palestine, or Hamas.
asserted
% → record → conflict
CST chief executive Mark Gardner said: "These attacks are directed against British Jews but they are also attacks on Britain and our society."
asserted
they → say → Britain
He said they "should concern everyone who cares about Britain and the threats against it, whether state-directed from Iran, or internally driven by Islamist, far-right, far-left, or other ideological extremes."
asserted
who → say → Islamist
Separate data released last week revealed that antisemitism is at heightened levels globally.
asserted
antisemitism → release → levels
A report by the J7 Large Communities' Task Force Against Antisemitism found that the UK recorded the biggest rise in antisemitic incidents last year of any country with a major Jewish population outside Israel.
asserted
UK → find → Israel
It also found that 2025 was the deadliest year for Jews in the diaspora in more than three decades.
asserted
2025 → find → decades
The government's independent adviser on antisemitism, Lord John Mann, said these new CST figures, "demonstrate that anti-Jewish racism in the UK remains at all all-time high and continues to pose a significant threat to our democracy".
asserted
racism → say → democracy
He added that he is especially concerned "to see the nature of antisemitism in the UK becoming increasingly violent".
asserted
nature → add → UK
The CST also analyses the types of incidents which occur across different sectors.
asserted
which → analyse → sectors
It found that in the first half of 2026, antisemitism in schools reached the highest level ever recorded for the first six months of any year.
asserted
antisemitism → find → year
It jumped by 59%, from 112 reported incidents in the first half of 2025, to 178 recorded over the same period in 2026.
asserted
It → jump → 2026
A government-commissioned independent review into antisemitism in schools and colleges is currently being carried out by Sir David Bell.
asserted
review → commission → Bell
It is expected to report in the autumn.
asserted
It → expect → autumn
Jones said: "Antisemitism goes against our country's values and I will do everything in my power to protect our Jewish communities.
"
asserted
I → say → communities
We are investing a record £250m to boost policing in Jewish neighbourhoods.
asserted
We → invest → neighbourhoods
I am also proud to work hand in hand with the CST to protect synagogues, Jewish schools and community centres.
asserted
I → work → synagogues
We must never stop fighting to rid society of this evil."
asserted
We → stop → evil
Shadow Home secretary Chris Philp said antisemitism was "a national emergency", adding: "We need to increase police presence, have urgent prosecutions, put a moratorium on marches, implement maximum sentencing and deterrence, conduct a comprehensive audit of counter-terrorism cases involving antisemitic motivation, and deport foreigners who express antisemitic views or support for violence or terrorism."
asserted
who → say → violence
