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Two years of turmoil reshape British Jewish life
British Jews describe heightened anxiety, deepened communal bonds, and a widening generational divide over Israel as antisemitic incidents surge following Middle East conflict.
Personal toll of global conflict
Phil Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, called the past two years "incredibly difficult," noting that Jewish identity in the UK has grown heavier under the weight of recent events. The October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks in Israel reverberated deeply within Britain's Jewish population, with British citizens among the dead and hostages. The subsequent war in Gaza and a sharp rise in antisemitism have compounded the distress.
Rosenberg highlighted the emotional strain of witnessing devastation in Gaza alongside the vitriol directed at Jews globally. "The attacks of 7 October were felt very personally," he said, citing the loss of British lives and the trauma of hostages with UK ties.
Surge in antisemitism and security fears
Official figures underscore the escalating threat. Hate crimes targeting Jews in England and Wales nearly doubled from 1,543 in the year to March 2023 to 3,282 by March 2024, according to Home Office data. The Community Security Trust, which has tracked antisemitic incidents for nearly four decades, reported the highest levels on record over the past two years.
Ben Dory, a 33-year-old London resident, described a shift in his social circles and daily habits. "I know Jewish people who keep their kippah in their pocket until they're inside the synagogue," he said. The deadly shooting at Bondi Beach during Hanukkah and the attack on a Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur have intensified fears. "Jews feel under constant threat, even at non-political gatherings," Dory added.
Dame Louise Ellman, a former Labour MP and joint independent chair of the Board of Deputies, echoed the sentiment. "I've never felt as vulnerable as a Jew as I do now," she said. The October attack on Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester, where she had personal ties, left her deeply shaken. "People are feeling edgy and alone."
Generational divide over Israel
A growing rift has emerged among British Jews regarding Israel, with younger generations increasingly critical of its policies. A survey by the Institute for Jewish Policy Research (JPR) found that while 64% of British Jews overall identify as Zionist, only 47% of those aged 20-30 do. Among the same age group, 24% described themselves as anti-Zionist, up from 14% in 2022.
Tash Hyman, a 33-year-old theatre director, represents this shift. While she has grown more connected to her Jewish identity, she rejects the idea of Israel as a safe haven. "The actions of the state of Israel make me feel less safe, not more," she said, citing the war in Gaza as a key factor. "It makes me less safe in the UK because of what they are doing."
Robert Cohen, a PhD student at King's College London, studied British Jews critical of Israel's actions in Gaza. He attributed the generational gap to a combination of "British Jewish ethics" around justice and "Gen Z sensibilities," which prioritize inclusivity and social justice. "Some were disturbed by the collapse in empathy toward Jewish Israeli victims of 7 October," he noted.
Community fractures and resilience
The polarization has strained relationships within the community. Lavona Zarum, a 21-year-old student and former president of the Jewish Society at the University of Aberdeen, recounted losing friends after the 7 October attacks. "I had quite a few people walk away," she said, describing how some peers shared posts she found offensive, including calls to "globalize the intifada."
Zarum later visited Israel through a fellowship with the Union of Jewish Students, where she engaged with survivors of the Hamas attacks. "The world was a bit more antisemitic than I had allowed myself to believe," she reflected. "But it's taught me to enter discussions more intentionally."
The Board of Deputies has also faced internal tensions. Earlier this year, 36 members signed an open letter criticizing Israel's government and its handling of the hostage crisis, leading to the suspension of five members for violating the board's code of conduct. Rosenberg acknowledged the debate but emphasized the need to focus on safety and communal well-being.
Looking ahead
Rosenberg stressed the importance of celebrating Jewish contributions to British life, a goal he said has been overshadowed by recent events. "When you open a Jewish or national publication, it's all bad news," he said. "Right now, it can feel hard to feel positive."
For Dory, the immediate concern is security. "The future of Jewish people in the UK is on a real knife edge," he warned. "How Britain responds in the short term will determine whether it remains a place Jews feel safe."
Cohen suggested that the trajectory of the Middle East conflict-and whether Palestinians gain greater rights-will shape the generational divide. Meanwhile, British Jews continue to navigate a landscape marked by fear, resilience, and evolving identities.
