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CST’s latest antisemitic incident report, for January to June 2015, shows a 53 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.
We have rigorously analysed the timing, content and sources of every one of the 473 reported incidents. The figures may of course include a real rise in incident levels, but our analysis strongly suggests that the primary explanation is a greater willingness by people to report antisemitism, either to CST or police.
The rise mainly occurred in January, February and March, with those months twice as bad as 2014. That was when our community felt especially concerned by antisemitism, seeing awful terrorist attacks in Paris and Copenhagen; and experiencing repeated local, national and global media attention on the subject of antisemitism.
CST did its utmost to remain focused throughout this, seeking no publicity for ourselves, or our community, believing it would only bring further unhelpful pressure and hype. Instead, we worked with government to organise totally unprecedented security measures across our community. This is now being delivered in partnership with literally hundreds of communal organisations throughout Britain.
At the time, our community also stepped forward. Hundreds of new recruits joined CST’s security teams, and our front-line security budget significantly increased thanks to the commitment of donors, old and new.
Greater communal responsibility also explains the rise in reported incidents. Neither Paris nor Copenhagen displayed the features of previous “trigger events”, when escalations are immediate and perpetrators tell you why.
Put simply, our community felt a greater compulsion to report antisemitism than is usually the case. We regret the concerns that the figures reflect, but the reality is that CST, our communal partners, police and government need to know the facts, so that we can best support our community now and in an uncertain future.
Mark Gardner is CST communications director
