Why British Jews are experiencing their biggest change in 60 years

Britain’s estimated 300,000 Jews are undergoing what researchers describe as the most significant shift in six decades, driven by a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents, heightened security concerns in daily life and a reevaluation of the community’s relationship to Israel. InDepth reporting based on interviews with community leaders, scholars and activists shows a generation gap widening over views on Israel and a recalibration of Jewish life in the United Kingdom.

Over the past two years, a sequence of events tied to the Middle East and its aftermath has altered daily life for British Jews. The October 7 Hamas attack and the Gaza war that followed were felt personally by Jewish households with family and cultural ties to the region, and the violence did not stay contained to one place. A mass shooting targeting Jewish celebrations abroad and an attack on a Manchester synagogue during one of Judaism’s holiest days underscored the reach of antisemitic violence and the sense of threat at Jewish gatherings. Those incidents, alongside ongoing regional conflict and a climate of intensified online vitriol, have contributed to a shift in how some in the community move through public spaces, how they discuss Israel, and how they express their Jewish identities.

Data on hate crime and security reflect those changes. In England and Wales, antisemitic crimes rose from 1,543 in the year to March 2023 to 3,282 by March 2024, with the Home Office noting that data for the following year are incomplete. The Community Security Trust, which tracks antisemitic incidents, says levels in the past two years are the highest since its monitoring began. For many Jews, the consequence is a heightened sense of risk and a shift in behavior, from synagogue attendance patterns to how openly they discuss support for Israel in mixed settings. The pressure is felt beyond the political arena and into daily social life.

Dame Louise Ellman, former Labour MP and joint independent chair of the Board of Deputies, says many in the community feel edgier and more exposed than at any time in recent memory. She notes that the pain of recent years exists alongside a continuing effort to sustain a visible, positive Jewish presence in British civic life. Others in the community have begun to reframe conversations about Israel, with some intensifying advocacy while others push for nuanced critique and more open dialogue across generations.

Tash Hyman, a London-based theatre director, says the past two years have strengthened her sense of Jewish identity but did not increase her support for the actions of the Israeli government in Gaza. She describes how the climate now extends into nonpolitical spaces and sees a polarization that makes honest discussion harder. After the Bondi Beach incident and the Manchester attack, she says the atmosphere has grown more confrontational, complicating conversations about Israel among peers with diverse views.

New data from the Institute for Jewish Policy Research, collected before the Manchester attack, indicate a generational split in views on Israel. While about 64% of British Jews identify as Zionist overall, only 47% of those aged 20 to 30 share that label, with 24% describing themselves as anti-Zionist and 20% as non‑Zionist. The gap between older and younger respondents has widened since 2022, underscoring a shift in how younger Jews relate to Israel and to Jewish identity in Britain. AFP photo context is provided by researchers who note that the numbers reflect a broader trend toward more diverse and often more critical perspectives within the community about Israel and its policies.

Robert Cohen, a PhD student at King’s College London, has interviewed 21 young British Jews who criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza. He argues that a mix of Gen Z values—such as authenticity, inclusivity and justice ethics—meets their Jewish upbringing to form a distinct stance. He notes that those who choose to speak out often do so alongside others who understand the sensitivities around Jewish history and communal empathy, and some respondents expressed a sense of diminished empathy toward Jewish victims of violence on October 7. The conversations Cohen documented illustrate how younger Jews navigate a landscape where personal, communal and political loyalties can feel in tension with one another.

Lavona Zarum, who was born in Israel and led the University of Aberdeen’s Jewish Society, describes personal costs of the current climate. She recalls that several friends gradually stopped talking with her about Israel after October 7, highlighting the social strains that can accompany political disagreement. Zarum later participated in an Israel visit fellowship and found that dialogue—though sometimes painful—was possible when participants listened and engaged with those holding opposing views. The experience reinforced for her the importance of thoughtful, well-supported discussion in building understanding across divides.

Within the Board of Deputies of British Jews, tensions over how to conduct debates on Israel have surfaced. Earlier this year, 36 board members signed an open letter published in a major newspaper criticizing the Israeli government and its handling of hostages; five board members were suspended for allegedly creating the impression that the letter represented the entire Board. Board president Phil Rosenberg says the episode underscored both the need for robust debate and the priority of protecting Jewish safety in Britain, while also expanding the community’s public conversation beyond private circles. He has stressed the importance of balancing a full range of Jewish life experiences with a focus on combating antisemitism and maintaining a sense of shared purpose.

Since taking office in May 2024, Rosenberg has said the aim is to celebrate the community’s contributions to British life even as the conflict abroad and the violence at home darken the mood. He cautions that the war has made it harder to maintain a positive public narrative about Jewish life in Britain, but he remains committed to ensuring the community can thrive and feel secure while continuing to participate in public life. The balance between raising awareness of antisemitism and fostering a sense of belonging for Jews across the United Kingdom remains at the center of his leadership.

Looking ahead, observers say the trajectory of Britain’s Jewish community will depend on a range of evolving factors, including the course of the Israel-Gaza conflict, the potential for Palestinian rights improvements, and how the broader British public engages with Jewish life amid rising antisemitism. Ben Dory, a London resident active in local Jewish community work, says the safety of Jews in the UK is at a critical juncture, and the national response will shape whether Britain remains a place where Jews feel secure and valued.

The stakes go beyond politics and crime statistics. For many in Britain’s Jewish community, daily life, faith and cultural belonging are being reassessed in real time, even as some seek to keep their ties to tradition strong and their communities outward-facing. In this moment of upheaval, the question remains how Britain will respond to the challenges of protecting its Jewish residents while preserving the freedoms and pluralism that define public life in the country.