Jewish children and teenagers in London recently became the latest victims of rising antisemitic attacks across Western Europe. On Thursday, two buses carrying students from a Jewish school were targeted at a bus stop by a group of approximately ten teenagers from a nearby school who used large rocks in the attack, as reported by the Jewish Chronicle.
Four teenagers boarded one of the double-decker buses and proceeded to the upper level, where they verbally abused the students and made offensive gestures. A 12-year-old student, expressing fear, recounted the teens shouting anti-Israel slurs and insults, while filming the students. He noted that despite numerous bystanders, no one intervened.
After leaving the bus, the teenagers threw rocks at both buses. An 11-year-old student described her fear and uncertainty during the attack, noting some students fled while she remained on board. She emphasized the teens’ continued verbal abuse and filming of the incident, expressing concern about the potential use of the video.
A spokesperson from the Campaign Against Antisemitism stated that this incident is not an isolated event, highlighting a concerning trend of escalating antisemitic attacks.
The spokesperson cited the Campaign Against Antisemitism’s data showing that 69% of British Jews are less likely to openly display their Jewish identity in public, concluding that British streets are no longer safe for Jews and their children. They called for arrests and consequences for those responsible.
Antisemitism in the UK has dramatically increased following recent events. The BBC, referencing CST statistics, reported 1,978 antisemitic incidents in the first half of 2024, a significant increase from 964 during the same period in 2023. The actual figure may be higher due to three months of technical issues affecting Metropolitan Police data reporting.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism has documented the significant emotional toll on British Jews. Their research reveals that 42% of British Jews considered leaving the UK due to antisemitism in the past two years, rising to 85% when considering political antisemitism. Furthermore, only 26% believe the Crown Prosecution Service adequately protects the Jewish community.
Thursday’s bus attack follows a separate violent incident on November 25th. The Jewish Chronicle reported that a man threw glass bottles from an East London balcony at a group of Jewish teenagers walking to a rehearsal. One teenager sustained serious head injuries requiring hospitalization. The incident is under investigation as a potential antisemitic crime; the spokesperson from the Campaign Against Antisemitism confirmed the victim was visibly Jewish.
In 2023, numerous antisemitic incidents were recorded in the UK, with over half (2,140) occurring in London.
Amichai Chikli, Israel’s Minister for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, previously referred to London as the “most antisemitic city,” citing the atmosphere created by Hamas supporters.