Israel’s minister for Diaspora affairs and combating antisemitism, Amichai Chikli, stated in an interview with Fox News Digital on Thursday that London is considered the most antisemitic city in the world.
Chikli, a member of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud Party, expressed his belief that London stands out as the “most antisemitic city” due to the atmosphere created by pro-Hamas supporters in the city, which he described as unprecedented compared to other cities.
Mass rallies filled with Islamist extremists and antisemites have been taking place in central London since Hamas launched an attack on Israel on Oct. 7, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people, including over 30 Americans.
Chikli highlighted the display of the anti-Israel slogan “from the river to the sea” on Big Ben as a call for the ethnic cleansing of Jews from Israel, explaining that it signifies the eradication of the Jewish state in favor of a Palestinian Muslim nation.
The Israeli minister pointed to incidents such as British MP Mike Freer leaving office due to pro-Hamas attacks, including his office being set on fire, as evidence of the growing antisemitism in London.
Chikli emphasized that most antisemitic incidents go unreported, especially among students on campuses who feel the system is against them, discouraging them from speaking out against harassment.
He also mentioned antisemitic attacks in the London subway system and an incident where an anti-Israel activist vandalized the portrait of Lord Balfour at Cambridge University.
Balfour, known for issuing a letter in 1917 supporting the establishment of a national Jewish home in Palestine, has been a target of vandalism, further highlighting the antisemitic sentiments in London.
Chikli asserted that modern antisemitism aims to delegitimize Israel’s right to exist, referencing the “3D Test of Antisemitism” created by Natan Sharansky, which categorizes contemporary antisemitism based on demonization, double standards, and delegitimization of Israel.
According to Chikli, the annual report from the Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism showed a 235% increase in antisemitic incidents in 2023 compared to the previous year, with a significant number of incidents occurring in the USA and Europe, particularly in the UK.
He noted a rise in violent incidents, with a notable increase in antisemitic discourse online, indicating a worrying trend of growing antisemitism in the UK, especially in London.
Chikli’s report highlighted the concerns of British Jews considering leaving the country due to documented antisemitism and the prevalence of hostile calls against Jews and Israelis during pro-Palestinian protests in the UK.
Jonathan Hoffman, a former vice chair of the Zionist Federation in Britain, echoed Chikli’s sentiments, stating that openly pro-Israel Jews face discrimination in the UK, particularly in academia and certain professions.
Hoffman suggested stronger measures to combat antisemitism, especially if Labour is elected in the upcoming election, emphasizing the need for preventive actions against hate crimes.
Sir William Shawcross’s report on the UK’s Prevent program highlighted the challenges in addressing non-violent extremism, particularly in combating antisemitism and other forms of hate speech.
Hoffman expressed concerns about the growing Muslim population in the UK, noting that antisemitism is more prevalent among this demographic, posing further challenges for the Jewish community.
A spokesperson for London Mayor Sadiq Khan acknowledged the rise in antisemitic and Islamophobic hate crimes in the city following the recent attacks, emphasizing the need for law enforcement to address hate crimes and promote community unity.
The spokesperson encouraged Londoners to be mindful of their language and actions to prevent further divisions and foster a sense of unity within the diverse community of London.
Recent reports from the Community Security Trust suggested that an arson attack in London may have been motivated by antisemitism, further highlighting the urgent need to address and combat antisemitism in the city.
