Jewish couple 'attacked by teens who tried to take clothing' - as 'appalling' rise in antisemitic incidents revealed

Nearly 2,000 antisemitic incidents have been reported in the first six months of this year in the wake of the war in Iran and the Golders Green stabbings, a charity has revealed.

Data from an organisation that monitors antisemitism in the UK has revealed a spike in incidents, with 1,926 recorded from January to June 2026.

Assaults, arson attacks and threats were among the incidents recorded by the Community Security Trust (CST) - with the total up by a fifth on the first half of last year.

After the stabbings of two Jewish men in Golders Green, north London, in April, the CST said it recorded its highest daily number of antisemitic incidents of the year so far.

A total of 71 incidents were recorded in the three days following the stabbings on 29 April - 16 of which directly referenced the attack, the organisation said.

The week following 28 February - the date Israel and US began their war on Iran - saw a 71% jump in antisemitic incidents in the UK compared with the week before, from 52 to 89, according to the CST.

The charity also noted that a series of arson attacks were carried out across Jewish sites in London, including on four Jewish community ambulances, throughout the first months of the year.

It defines an antisemitic incident as any malicious act aimed at Jewish people, organisations or property, which shows evidence of antisemitic motivation, language or targeting.

Greater London sees highest incidents

According to the CST, the area with the highest number of reported antisemitic incidents in the first six months of 2026 was Greater London with 994.

Greater Manchester saw 222, while Scotland as a whole saw a reported 76.

Hertfordshire was reported to have 73, West Yorkshire had 64, Essex saw 58, and Northumbria had a reported 39.

Assaults, threats and abusive behaviour

The CST recorded 135 assault incidents during the first half of the year - the highest six-monthly total figure in this category ever reported to the organisation.

Other forms of offences reported included 15 instances of antisemitic literature, 126 threats, 77 instances of damage and desecration, and 1,572 instances of abusive behaviour.

Of the 77 counts of damage and desecration, there were seven cases of arson or attempted arson, the CST said.

'Appalling numbers'

The government's independent adviser on antisemitism, Lord John Mann, said the figures "demonstrate that anti-Jewish racism in the UK remains at an all-time high and continues to pose a significant threat to our democracy".

He added: "It is especially concerning to see the nature of antisemitism in the UK becoming increasingly violent, from the stabbing of two British Jews in Golders Green, to a series of arson attacks against synagogues and Jewish-linked properties."

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Policing and crime minister Sarah Jones said: "Behind these appalling numbers are people living in fear just for being who they are.

"Antisemitism goes against our country's values, and I will do everything in my power to protect our Jewish communities."

She added the government is investing £250m to boost policing in Jewish neighbourhoods, and said: "We must never stop fighting to rid society of this evil."

The Jewish Leadership Council said the figures "are no surprise" and that "Jews continue to face intolerable levels of hatred in our country and that should shame us".

A spokesperson for the body of Jewish organisation around the UK added: "The prime minister has pledged a zero-tolerance approach to antisemitism. We welcome that commitment, but those words must be matched by action."

(c) Sky News 2026: Jewish couple 'attacked by teens who tried to take clothing' - as 'appalling' r