UK Antisemitism on the rise

The latest report from the Community Security Trust has revealed an alarming rise in antisemitic incidents over 2006.

"594 antisemitic incidents were recorded by the Community Security Trust (CST) in 2006. This is the highest annual total since the CST began recording antisemitic incidents in 1984.

The total of 594 incidents is a 31 per cent rise on the 2005 total of 455 incidents. It is 12 per cent higher than the previous record high of 532 incidents, recorded in 2004.

59 per cent of the 594 incidents occurred during the second half of the year. 134 antisemitic incidents took place during the 34 days of fighting in Lebanon between Israel and Hizbollah in July and August. 54 incidents during the year included specific reference to the fighting in Lebanon.

There were 112 violent antisemitic assaults recorded in 2006, the highest ever recorded by the CST and a 37 per cent rise on the 82 violent antisemitic assaults in 2005. The 112 violent attacks included four that were classified as Extreme Violence, meaning that the attack potentially caused loss of life or Grievous Bodily Harm.

There were a record number of incidents of Abusive Behaviour - 365, an increase of 34 per cent from the 273 incidents of Abusive Behaviour recorded in 2005. This category is an indicator of the amount of background, low-level antisemitism in society.

Incidents of Damage & Desecration to Jewish property rose by 46 per cent, from 48 incidents in 2005 to 70 incidents in 2006.

The months of July, August and September had the third, fourth and fifth highest monthly totals on record respectively.

Thirteen people were convicted of offences relating to antisemitic incidents from 2005 and 2006. Other cases from 2006 are awaiting trial.

In 227 incidents the victims were individual Jewish people going about their lives in public. In 121 of these, the victims were visibly identifiable as Jewish.

82 incidents targeted synagogues, including 27 involving damage to synagogue buildings. A further 50 incidents targeted congregants on their way to or from prayer.

59 incidents targeted Jewish schools or schoolchildren, of which 25 were against Jewish schoolchildren on their journeys to or from school.

There were nine desecrations of Jewish cemeteries in 2006.

79 incidents targeted Jewish communal organisations and their events, including representative bodies, youth movements, welfare and cultural organisations".

And you wonder why more and more Jews feel uncomfortable living in the UK?

Britain is seriously screwed up!

Just a few news items that make me wonder what future Jews have in this country.

1. A recent undercover investigation by Dispatches reveals how Wahhabi extremism has infiltrated even the more moderate and prestigious Mosques.
2. A third of young British Muslims polled say they favour Sharia law over English law.
3. As Iran gets ever closer to it's dream of acquiring the nuclear bomb, The Guardian sneers at Jewish fears of a second holocaust
   

Meanwhile, all the papers can talk about is Big Brother.