There is no doubting the grief or the rage of Jewish and Muslim communities across Britain in response to events in Israel and Gaza. Of course it is not only they who have strong reactions to what is happening. Many other people are also horrified. But for obvious reasons emotions in the two faith communities are running high – particularly among those with family or other personal connections to the victims.
These feelings are an important aspect of the international response. But indications of rising hostility and distrust between those whose affinities lie on opposing sides of the conflict should concern us all. Jewish people are understandably nervous about the risk that they will be targeted. Two Jewish schools were forced to close in the days after 7 October, and the Community Security Trust recorded 89 antisemitic incidents in just over four days.
