Britain Unveils New Measures To Combat Rampant Anti-Semitism

The government of Britain announced on Monday that it is about to unveil brand new measures to combat rampant anti-Semitism in England, following a shocking rise of attacks against Jews this summer.

In an article written for the Daily Express in Britain, the UK’s Communities Secretary Eric Pickles warned against the “ancient evil” of anti-Semitism and the way it was rearing its head in the UK recently.

The Community Security Trust (CST), which monitors anti-Semitism in the UK, reported that the summer of 2014 saw the highest figures ever of anti-Semitism in Britain, with some 543 anti-Jewish incidents in July and August alone.

Incidents of anti-Semitism included physical and verbal assaults, vandalism and hate-graffiti targeting synagogues and Jewish schools, as well as a huge amount of anti-Semitic abuse and incitement on social media.

Pickles wrote, “The irrational hatred of Jews is like cancer. Once beaten it can come back. It lurks in the shadows, and in 2014 there has been a revolting relapse of this ancient evil. Sadly Britain has not been immune. We share this shame.”

Having singled out some organizations who have blatantly displayed anti-Jewish sentiment, he announced that some of the new measures set to be introduced will hold city councils and even businesses to account if they are seen to encourage anti-Semitism.

“Institutions that should have stood up to this thuggish behavior did not. Like the Holborn branch of Sainsbury’s, clearing their shelves of kosher food to satisfy anti-Israeli yobs outside. This casual acceptance of anti-Semitism was outrageous.”

The Communities Secretary didn’t limit his criticism to supermarket chains like Sainsbury’s, calling out city councils for encouraging anti-Semitism.

“Even some councils have behaved irresponsibly. Like Tower Hamlets, engaging in their own municipal foreign policy by flying the Palestinian flag. These public bodies should be using their position of authority to actively reduce tensions, not stir them up. Anti-Semitism and hate crime are completely incompatible with traditional British values and totally unacceptable in our society.”

Jonathan Sacerdoti of the Campaign Against Anti-Semitism, spoke positively about the new government measures, saying cautiously, “We welcome a crackdown on anti-Semitism, but it remains to be seen if new laws will be made. We continue to call for the enforcement of existing laws, and increased urgency in dealing with this issue.”

In conclusion, Sacerdoti added, “This is not just a Jewish problem, but a problem for all of British society.”