This research is both harrowing and uplifting. Whilst for the past three years antisemitic crime has broken records every year, and antisemitism scandals have repeatedly rocked our politics, British society has mounted an astounding insurgency against antisemitism. Even as anti-Jewish racism made the headlines, British people appear to have taken the opportunity to shun the ancient anti-Jewish prejudices that some had acquired.
We now have data that show that in a very British way, fairly and quietly, Britons have been rejecting antisemitic prejudice. British society has shunned a growing worldwide addiction to antisemitism and proved that so-called British values are no mere buzzphrase, but are embedded in our national being.
And yet, despite that inspiring progress, British Jews are growing more fearful because our authorities fail to enforce the law and our politics is punctuated by the repeated exposure of antisemites.
Our research shows that one in three British Jews has become so fearful of mounting antisemitic crime and the failure to excise antisemites from politics that they have considered leaving Britain altogether. Just as British people increasingly reject antisemitism, British Jews are feeling unprotected and hounded out due to the failure of our institutions to protect the many from the few racists among us.
We have worked with YouGov and partners in the Jewish community to survey both the British population as a whole and the British Jewish community. The data in this report begs the question: if British society can fight antisemitism, why are our world-renowned criminal justice system and some of our famous political parties still doing too little?
Our research clearly shows that British Jews have pointed their fingers at the Crown Prosecution Service and the Labour Party. For years, Campaign Against Antisemitism has made simple recommendations, such as providing training to prosecutors and ensuring transparency in the disciplinary processes of political parties. British society is achieving what many said was impossible and is rolling back antisemitism. It is high time for our criminal justice system and politicians to take the comparatively easy steps recommended in this report. There is not a moment to lose. Without urgent change, British Jews may start to leave.
Our research also contains a lesson for the Jewish community. Some claim that talking about antisemitism inspires more of it, but that view shows no faith in British society. Antisemitism has been in the headlines regularly for two years. It has given our countrymen the opportunity to think about antisemitism, and they are rejecting it.
