Anti-Semitic hatred is on the rise, PM admits, as Israel slams Labour over crisis

Anti-Semitic hatred is "rising" in Britain again, Keir Starmer warned. The Prime Minister, speaking after a terrorist murdered two people and left three more fighting for their lives in Manchester, said Jews face a "daily threat". Anger erupted in the Jewish community about a rise in anti-Semitism and Labour's stance on Israel.

The Israeli foreign minister, Gideon Sa'ar, accused Britain of failing to "take the necessary action to curb this toxic wave of antisemitism and have effectively allowed it to persist". Security chiefs are assessing whether the terror threat level needs to be increased following the attack in Manchester. Investigators currently believe the Manchester attacker had Islamist motives, the Daily Express understands.

The Prime Minister said: "Earlier today, on Yom Kippur - the holiest day for the Jewish community - a vile individual committed a terrorist attack. That attacked Jews because they are Jews, and attacked Britain because of our values.

"Britain is also a country where Jewish buildings, synagogues, and even schools require round-the-clock protection.

"Where dedicated, specialist, security is necessary because of the daily threat of antisemitic hatred. Today's horrific incident shows why.

"And while this is not a new hate, this is something Jews have always lived with, we must be clear - it is a hatred that is rising once again, and Britain must defeat it once again."

But it emerged British Jews fear they now targets because the Government treats Israel as a "Pariah".

Nigel Tobias, a member of Manchester's Jewish Representative Council who was married and had his Bar Mitzvah at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, told Sky News: "It's quite a simple link.

"Most Jews identify as Zionists, which is self-determination for a Jewish state. It does not preclude self-determination for Palestinian state, which I have fought to achieve for many years, working with Palestinians.

"But I think what's happened is that Israel has been made a pariah state by the UK and therefore most Jews who identify as Zionists, or are considered Zionists, have become a target."

Mr Sa'ar said authorities in Britain had "failed to take the necessary action to curb this toxic wave of antisemitism and have effectively allowed it to persist".

He added: "The truth must be told: blatant and rampant antisemitic and anti-Israeli incitement, as well as calls of support for terror, have recently become a widespread phenomenon in the streets of London, in cities across Britain, and on its campuses."

And the President of Israel personally warned King Charles that Britain has become 'overrun with anti-Jewish hatred' just days before the Manchester terror attack.

Writing on Monday in a letter seen by the Mail, Mr Herzog said: "The nations which just eighty years ago stood united against fascism and Nazism have now become overrun with anti-Jewish hatred.

"We know of course all too well that the rise in antisemitism correlates directly with the events on the ground in the Middle East yet the free world cannot and must not allow the conflict to become a political tool against the Jewish people.

"I would be most grateful if Your Majesty would raise these significant concerns with leaders across the Commonwealth and elsewhere and use your important voice to speak out and encourage public efforts to promote greater awareness and education about antisemitism and the history that informs it.

"Education, remembrance and measured leadership are vital tools in ensuring that hatred has no place in our societies."

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the Government has stepped up security at synagogues across the whole of the country

She added: "It will just take a little time for us to establish exactly what has happened here, but we will share more information as soon as we are able to.

"What I do want to say is to those who seek to divide us, they will fail."

Speaking at the same press conference, Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, thanked the emergency services for their "exemplary blue light response".

"We ask everyone to show solidarity to the Jewish community this weekend, and already we've mobilised through our interfaith network messages of support and solidarity through places of worship," he added.