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Autumn Statement: £10m allocated to tackle rising antisemitism after Hamas terror attack
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said he was 'deeply concerned about the rise of antisemitism' in the UK
November 22, 2023 13:25
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said he was 'deeply concerned about the rise of antisemitism' in the UK
November 22, 2023 13:25Millions of pounds has been allocated from the Autumn Statement to tackle rising antisemitism in the UK after the Hamas terror attack.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced £3m of funding to protect schools, synagogues and other Jewish community buildings.
The money will be given to the Community Security Trust (CST) to allow additional guards to be placed outside schools, community buildings and synagogues on Shabbat.
Meanwhile, £7 million will be allocated over the next three years to tackle antisemitism in schools and universities.
Funding would go to organisations such as the Holocaust Educational Trust (HET).
Hunt said he was “horrified” at Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel. Speaking in the House of Commons, he added: “I am deeply concerned about the rise of antisemitism in our country, so I am announcing up to £7 million over the next three years for organisations like the Holocaust Educational Trust to tackle antisemitism in schools and universities.
Antisemitism is at an all time high. We will work with Government and partners to ensure generations recognise and stand up against anti-Jewish hatred today and always. Thank you for this support.@Jeremy_Hunt @hmtreasury @CST_UK @UJS_UK pic.twitter.com/0jXrkYjn1j
— H.E.T. (@HolocaustUK) November 22, 2023
"I will also repeat the £3 million uplift to the Community Security Trust.
"When it comes to antisemitism and all forms of racism, we must never allow the clock to be turned back."
Karen Pollock, chief executive of the HET, said: “Antisemitism is at an all time high across the United Kingdom. We have seen a shocking rise of anti-Jewish racism on our streets, online, on university campuses, and in our schools. Education is the key in combatting the world’s oldest hatred.
"The Holocaust Educational Trust has worked with Government for years and we thank them for their trust in us and this continued support.
"Together with partners – the Community Security Trust, the Union of Jewish Students and others - we will make sure that people from all backgrounds understand that antisemitism did not end in 1945 after the Holocaust but changes and evolves. We will continue to educate so that generations will stand up to the anti-Jewish hatred we see today.
"Thank you to the Government for joining us to ensure that 'Never Again' is never allowed to ring hollow.”
The number of antisemitic incidents reported to the CST in the month following October 7 surged by over 500 per cent year on year, with dozens of assaults and more than 100 threats recorded.
In total 1,124 antisemitic incidents were reported to CST in the month to 7 November according to data released by the group – the largest number since the charity began keeping records in 1984.
The latest figure marks a 514 per cent increase from same period in 2022 when 183 incidents were reported.
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