It is our duty to defend Britain's Jewish communities
Crowd gathered at Heaton Park Hebrew Synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester, a week on from the terror attack, 9 October 2025 (Credit: PA Images / Alamy)
3 min read
After the horrifying events in Manchester on 2 October, it is our collective responsibility to rebuild trust and hope within Britain’s Jewish communities.
The attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation, in which two Jewish worshippers were murdered, was a cowardly act of hatred. It has shaken Jewish communities not only in Britain but around the world. In response, most public voices have rightly expressed horror and abhorrence. Yet, worryingly, many have also called the attack “unsurprising”.
How have we reached a point where antisemitic sentiment has risen so sharply that extremist violence targeting Jewish people is now seen as expected in Britain?
According to the Community Security Trust, 2023 and 2024 saw the highest annual totals of antisemitic incidents ever recorded in the UK. Between January and June this year alone, the CST documented 1,521 incidents – the second-highest number ever recorded for the first half of any year.
This surge in antisemitism has deeply undermined Jewish communities’ sense of safety – in their synagogues, schools, homes and neighbourhoods. It has been accompanied by a wider rise in racism, bigotry and intolerance that has left many questioning their place in British society.
Our politics have fallen far too short when it comes to protecting cultural cohesion. Britain is more productive and confident when its people stand united, regardless of background or belief. Our nation is not “broken”, but the bonds that hold us together have frayed. Rebuilding them requires restoring trust – in our leaders, institutions and one another.
As chair of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (HMDT), I have had the privilege of working with those dedicated to educating future generations about the dangers of prejudice. Through learning resources and survivor testimonies, the HMDT ensures the darkest chapters of our past are not forgotten and promotes a society free from hatred and persecution.
I also serve as co-chair, alongside Jon Cruddas, of the Independent Commission on Community Cohesion, which focuses on strengthening the social fabric that binds communities together – understanding the causes of division and developing practical recommendations to rebuild trust and belonging across the country.
Now more than ever, local councils, devolved administrations, and Parliament must take concrete steps to strengthen unity. Local authorities should partner with community organisations to support those facing discrimination. While enhanced security is sadly necessary, it only addresses the symptoms – not the causes – of our divisions.
The Holocaust taught us what happens when hatred is normalised, but also that remembrance and education can heal. As the number of living witnesses to that history sadly diminishes, we must redouble our efforts to ensure their lessons live on.
Elected officials at every level must stop treating social harmony as a second-tier issue. It is our duty to call out antisemitism and all forms of identity-based hatred whenever they arise – and to back the community organisations that bring people together across divides.
Policies that promote integration and cohesion are vital tools against extremism and radicalisation. But they will only succeed if shaped by the lived experiences of the communities they serve.
Hatred and discrimination have no place in our country. By standing together – in defence of Britain’s Jewish communities and of one another – we can restore trust, unity and hope in our shared future.
Sajid Javid is chair of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, co-chair of the Independent Commission on Community Cohesion and former home secretary
