One year ago today, the world witnessed one of the most devastating assaults in the recent history of the Israel-Palestine conflict. On the 7th of October 2023, Hamas launched a coordinated attack from the Gaza Strip into Israel. In a single day, over 4,000 rockets were fired, and the borders were breached, leading to the deaths of more than 1,100 people, including civilians attending a music festival, soldiers, and foreign nationals. These attacks have since been dubbed “Black Sabbath” or the “Simchat Torah Massacre” in Israel, and they mark the tragic beginning of a prolonged and bloody conflict that continues to affect lives in Middle East region.
As we mark the first anniversary of this event, we reflect on the significant global impacts it has had—not only in terms of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, but also on the rise of antisemitism globally.
In Chamber UK’s recent conversation with Dave Rich, Director of Policy at the Community Security Trust (CST), and Joani Reid, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Antisemitism, we explored the consequences of this tragic event and the broader surge of antisemitism that has followed.
A Year of Rising Antisemitism
The brutal nature of the attacks on 7th October caused international outrage. But within hours of the attack hitting headlines, there was an alarming spike in antisemitic incidents around the world, including here in the UK. In our interview, Dave Rich noted the clear pattern that follows conflict in the Middle East – whenever tensions flare between Israel and its neighbours, antisemitism surges globally. He explained that “while there are always hate crimes targeting Jewish people,” conflict with Israel tends to spark sudden spikes, a trend seen after the attacks, with antisemitism reaching record levels in Britain.
Joani Reid echoed these concerns, highlighting how the immediate rise in hate incidents post-7th October was deeply distressing. As she put it, antisemitism may have many societal drivers, but at its core, it comes from individuals holding and acting on anti-Jewish beliefs. The rise in these incidents, exacerbated by political and global events, places the responsibility on all of us – government, institutions, and civil society – to act.
Government Response: Not Just a Legal Problem
Both Rich and Reid agreed that the UK government and its institutions have made significant strides in trying to protect Jewish communities. Funding for security measures at Jewish schools, synagogues, and other buildings is an essential step, but it’s clear that more needs to be done. Beyond legal measures, civil society has a critical role to play. Rich pointed out that while the police and government often bear the brunt of responsibility, other parts of society: trade unions, human rights organisations, and religious bodies, need to step up. Antisemitism isn’t just a legal issue; it’s a societal one.
Reid, drawing from her political background, expressed a similar frustration, emphasising the cultural shift that is required to truly tackle the root causes of antisemitism. While legal frameworks like the Online Safety Act offer hope for curbing hate speech online, the broader fight against antisemitism requires everyone to take responsibility for their actions and challenge antisemitic rhetoric when they encounter it.
The Role of Social Media
Perhaps the most concerning driver of antisemitism in today’s world is the role of social media. In our conversation, both Dave Rich and Joani Reid highlighted how platforms designed to engage users often end up channelling them into more extreme and harmful narratives. Rich noted that “younger people are more likely to believe conspiracy tropes about Jewish people than older generations,” a direct result of the content they consume on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. This is a worrying generational shift, with antisemitic ideas being spread widely and rapidly among younger populations.
Reid, too, expressed her deep concern about the impact of social media on young people. “We are living in a new antisemitic age,” she stated, largely due to the unchecked spread of misinformation and hate online. Both agreed that regulation of social media is essential, but more importantly, platforms must enforce the policies they have in place to curb hate speech.
Education: The Key to Long-Term Change
The rise of antisemitism in the wake of the 7th October attacks has left many wondering what can be done to combat it. Education, as always, is seen as a critical tool in the fight against hate. Rich and Reid both called for an expanded approach to education – one that goes beyond Holocaust education and addresses the complexities of Jewish life, history, and the role of social media in spreading hate.
As Reid pointed out, “If we don’t tackle the problem with social media and young people accessing it, this problem’s only going to get worse.” Teaching digital citizenship, critical thinking, and media literacy in schools can be a powerful way to help the next generation navigate the dangerous misinformation online. However, education isn’t just about what happens in the classroom. As Rich noted, the best messengers to younger generations may not always be their teachers but rather influential figures they follow online. Engaging these voices in the fight against antisemitism is crucial.
Final Thought
The 7th of October attacks were a horrific reminder of the violence and hatred that can spring from long-standing political conflicts. But the aftermath has shown that this hatred doesn’t remain confined to the borders of the conflict; it spreads into communities across the world.
As we commemorate one year since the attacks, it is important to remember the lives lost, and to also recognise the work that still needs to be done to counter the rise in antisemitism both in the UK and abroad.
Watch Chamber UK’s full interview with Dave Rich and Joani Reid here to learn more about how we can tackle this growing problem, and the role of government, institutions, and all of us in creating a more inclusive and safe society.
