Jewish leaders worried for the safety of families across Greater Manchester
It's after two Israeli embassy staff were killed in America last week
Jewish leaders across Greater Manchester say families are living in fear, following a rise in antisemitism.
It's after two Israeli embassy staff were killed in America last week - meanwhile the war in Gaza continues in the Middle East.
Recent statistics from the Community Security Trust (CST) reveal 3,528 antisemitic incidents in the UK in 2024, the second-highest total ever reported to CST in a single calendar year.
Of the 3,528 antisemitic incidents recorded by CST in 2024, 2,327 occurred in Greater London and Greater Manchester, the two UK cities where the largest Jewish populations reside.
Of Greater Manchester’s 480 antisemitic incidents, 161 occurred in the City of Manchester, 129 in Bury, 115 in Salford, 26 in Trafford and 16 in Stockport.
Marc Levy is from the Northwest Jewish Leadership Council: "There has been a high level of incidents targeting Jewish people going about their daily lives.
"We are experiencing antisemitism in all sections of society, whether that is in schools and universities, in work places, on the sports fields...
"It is a case that some Jewish people are now looking to cover up their identity.
"Many people are looking to cover their skull caps.
"Our schools, Synagogues, community centres, are located behind gates with security guards.
"Jewish communities around the world are no stranger to deadly terrorist attacks and the incident in Washington last week is a stark reminder of the very real fears that we face."