UK launches review into school-related anti-Semitism

The British government has launched an independent review into antisemitism in schools and colleges in England in response to data showing classroom-related incidents have doubled since Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Following the Israeli attack that triggered Hamas’ Gaza war, attacks against Jews increased worldwide.

Britain reports a 4 percent annual increase in antisemitism cases in 2025; This is the second highest figure in history, including a sharp increase following the deadly synagogue attack in northern England in October.

The Community Security Trust, which advises Jewish communities on security, recorded 204 anti-Semitic incidents involving schools in 2025; This number is twice the pre-2023 levels.

“The numbers are loud and clear,” education minister Bridget Phillipson said on Wednesday.

“Many Jewish teachers who voiced their concerns felt that nothing was being done. This is unacceptable,” he said.

The government said the aim of the review was to assess how well educational settings detect, prevent and respond to anti-Semitic behavior and where more support is needed.

The review will examine schools’ policies, how incidents are handled when they occur, what preventative measures are in place and how external factors, including protests outside schools and wider geopolitical tensions, influence behavior in educational settings.