Antisemitism Is UK's 'Biggest National Security Emergency' In 9 Years, Terror Adviser Warns

It comes after two Jewish men were stabbed in London’s Golders Green on Wednesday.

Shilome Rand, 34, and Moshe Shine, 76, were attacked in what police have described as a terrorist incident.

A 45-year-old man – a British national who was born in Somalia – has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

Jonathan Hall KC, who works as the government’s independent reviewer of terrorism and state threats legislation, told the BBC’s The World Tonight that attacks on Jewish people in the UK now pose the “biggest national security emergency” since 2017.

There was a spate of terror incidents in London that year, including a bomb attack at Parsons Green tube staton, stabbings near Borough Market and a deliberate car crash on Westminster Bridge.

Hall said: “There are Brits in London in particular, Manchester, but probably all around the country, who are now thinking they cannot live a normal life.

“And it’s not one attack, it’s multiple attacks.”

There have been a series of antisemitic incidents in 2026, including attacks on Hatzola ambulances near a synagogue in North London earlier this month and an arson attack on another Jewish place of worship.

Home secretary Shabana Mahmood told BBC Radio 4′s Today programme that she is “treating this as an emergency”.

However, she warned the phrase “national emergency” has particular connotations.

Speaking a week out from the local elections in England and devolved elections in Scotland and Wales, the cabinet minister warned using such a phrase could end up suspending parts of the democracy.

“That’s not quite where we are,” Mahmood added, but said this is a top priority for her.

The minister added that antisemitism is “abhorrent and unacceptable” and that the Jewish community has “every right” to live in safety.

The government also announced an extra £25 million in funding for security within Jewish communities on Thursday morning.

This money will go towards increased police patrols and enhanced protections around synagogues, schools and community centres.

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