‘An epidemic’: is antisemitism out of control in the UK? – The Latest

This episode of The Guardian's Today in Focus examines the escalating crisis of antisemitism in the UK, triggered by a recent violent stabbing attack at a synagogue in Golders Green, North London, which left two men injured and one suspect in custody. Guardian columnist Raphael Baer, a British Jewish man from North London, reflects on the emotional toll of seeing familiar streets become sites of terror, emphasizing a perceived 'epidemic' of antisemitic incidents including arson attacks on Jewish institutions and the deadly Manchester synagogue attack. The government’s advisor on terrorism has labeled antisemitism the 'biggest national security emergency' in nearly a decade, sparking debate over whether this reflects foreign influence, domestic radicalization, or the normalization of hatred. Baer argues that the real danger lies not just in violence but in the mainstreaming of antisemitic rhetoric, particularly within pro-Palestine marches, where criticism of Israel’s policies increasingly blurs into conspiracy-laden anti-Jewish sentiment. He warns that political leaders on both the left and right are exploiting the crisis—right-wing figures using it to attack the left, while left-wing factions resist acknowledging internal antisemitism for fear of legitimizing right-wing narratives. The result, Baer says, is a deepening culture war in which Jewish people feel like political pawns, caught between competing ideologies and increasingly fearful for their safety in the UK.