97% increase in antisemitic hate crimes in UK in 2018

The number of religion-based hate crimes against Jews in England and Wales nearly doubled last year, according to a government report.

The data from a Home Office report published this past week lists 1,326 antisemitic incidents in 2018, or 18% of the overall number of hate crimes – almost twice as many as the 672 antisemitic incidents recorded in the previous year.

The overall number of religion-oriented hate crimes rose by 31%, to 7,446 from 5,680, the Hate Crime, England and Wales, 2018-19 report shows. The proportion of antisemitic attacks also climbed 12% from 2017.

Muslims were the most targeted group in both years: the overall number of anti-Muslim attacks rose to 3,530 from 2,965, though the proportion dropped to 47% from 52%.

After Muslims, Jews were the most-often targeted group in both years.

The Home Office classifies hate crimes against Muslims and Jews as being based on their religion rather than ethnicity.

Muslims account for approximately 5% of the population in the United Kingdom, according to the Office for National Statistics, while Jews constitute about half a percent.

In both years, the combined number of attacks on Christians, Sikhs and Hindus was smaller than the tally of antisemitic attacks.

The report includes other forms of hate crimes, including those based on race and sexual orientation. The total number of all hate crimes recorded in 2018 was 103,379, a 17% rise over 2017. (JTA)