MY heartfelt support goes to the families in Manchester whose loved ones were killed or injured in yesterday’s barbaric terrorist attack on their synagogue. For them, and for British Jews across the country, the horror is a chilling reminder that antisemitism, fuelled by extremism, is not history — it is here, and it is escalating.

The rise began after October 7. In 2023, the Community Security Trust recorded 4,296 antisemitic incidents — the highest ever. Last year there were 3,528 more, still 56% higher than before 2023. In the first half of 2025 alone, 1,521 incidents were logged, the second-highest half-year on record. On our campuses the increase has been starker still: from just 53 cases in 2022/23 to 272 in 2023/24 — a more than fivefold rise.

I have seen for myself how Jewish students are targeted: wearing a Star of David invites abuse; protests ostensibly about Israel dissolve into chants against Jews; what should be free expression becomes intimidation. These are not isolated incidents — they are part of the same poisonous current that has now spilled into murderous violence on our streets. Only recently, a Hamas cell armed with weapons was uncovered in Berlin, intent on killing Jews. We must hope the Manchester attack is not a precursor to even worse atrocities here.

This cannot be allowed to become the new normal. Universities must enforce zero tolerance. Government must ensure proper protection for Jewish schools, synagogues and campuses, and ensure every antisemitic crime is prosecuted to the fullest. Britain has long prided itself on tolerance and democracy. If we are to honour those values, we must confront antisemitism with the same determination we confront terrorism itself.

In Harlow we have a proud and vibrant jewish community and synagogue.  Let us make sure that all Jews in Harlow feel safe and secure.  

“Those of the Jewish faith should count as much as everyone else”.