Jewish Londoners 'make plans to flee capital' amid huge antisemitism wave

GROWING numbers of Jewish families are considering fleeing London for abroad because of rising antisemitism in the capital, campaigners warned today as they demanded tougher action to combat intimidation and hate.

- Martin Bentham

The Campaign Against Antisemitism said some Jewish residents had already left because of fears for their safety.

But it added that the number of those considering leaving London was increasing daily in response to hostility being displayed towards them.

The campaign group has exposed a series of antisemitic attacks in London amid reports of increasing nervousness among Jewish people about their safety.

Gideon Falter, chief executive of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, said an earlier opinion survey had already shown that about half of Jewish people were considering moving abroad and that the trend was growing because of continuing hostility from sections of the community.

He said examples ranged from threats made to MPs and outside Parliament to antisemitism in universities and attacks on the streets, as well as the impact of Gaza protest marches involving incidents of antisemitism and support for Hamas terrorism.

“We are aware of people now who have left the country. It’s the biggest untold story, the effect it’s having on Jewish families of mass intimidation. The cumulative effect is pretty devastating,” he said.

The Israeli military launched an offensive to destroy Hamas after its gunmen killed about 1,200 people and took hostages back to Gaza on October 7. The territory’s Hamas-run health ministry says more than 30,500 people have been killed in Gaza since then.