According to the report, published on Wednesday, the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Liz Kendall, “has been clear with Ofcom that it should use all its levers under the Act to tackle antisemitic content online”.
The 14-page report brought together the government’s work across the UK to help combat antisemitism.
It has been welcomed by communal groups, who will continue to push for concrete action to combat Jew-hate.
The Board of Deputies said it will work “to hold government to account for delivery and to press for a coherent strategy that delivers concrete action.”
Many of the policies outlined mirrored proposals set out in a separate document published in October by the Board, the Jewish Leadership Council and the Union of Jewish Students following the Heaton Park attack.
Introducing the latest document, Sir Keir Starmer said he is “determined to root antisemitism out of our country”.
The prime minister acknowledged that “words alone are never a substitute for action”.
Reflecting on his response to Labour’s antisemitism crisis, Starmer wrote: “Rooting out antisemitism in my political party was the single most important task for me when I became Labour Leader. And I am just as determined to root it out of our country.
“Britain has a great future ahead, where opportunity is shared, and pride is restored. But I know that standing between us and that future is a pervasive hatred which must be confronted,” Starmer said.
The document referred to the government’s close work with the BBC, which announced new mandatory staff training on antisemitism. High-quality training will help in “tackling the drivers of extremism and division by helping to combat mis- and disinformation,” the report stated.
On security support, the report recognised that “it should not be the case that Jewish institutions need such high levels of security” and noted the “longstanding expertise” of the Community Security Trust (CST).
Noam Fingeret[Missing Credit]
It confirmed that the government had continued to guarantee the Jewish Community Protective Security Grant, providing £18 million per year until 2028. Following the Heaton Park attack, an additional £10 million of funding was announced for the year to strengthen security at shuls and Jewish schools.
Countering antisemitism was described as “an operational priority for our security and intelligence services”, with the report pointing to ongoing efforts to disrupt extremist networks and prevent attacks.
The Crime and Policing Bill has already introduced measures against the use of face coverings at protests and given police new powers against demonstrations near places of worship. The cumulative impact of protests is also now taken into account.
“The right to protest is fundamental in this country, but this must be balanced with the right of others to feel safe in their communities,” the report stated.
Referring to the appointment of Lord Macdonald of River Glaven KC to lead an independent review of public order and hate crime legislation, the government repeated its targeted call for invited members of the Jewish community to share their views.
On healthcare, the report said an NHS training module on equality, diversity, and human rights is “being expanded to cover discrimination and antisemitism in greater depth,” and staff will be required to refresh their training.
NHS England will also issue to uniform guidance which is expected to “protect freedom of religious expression while ensuring patients feel respected at all times”.
On education, the report stated that Jewish children and students must be protected across schools, colleges and universities. It reiterated the government’s commitment of £7 million in funding to tackle antisemitism in educational settings.
As part of this funding, the government said it would “soon be launching a Tackling Antisemitism in Education innovation fund, which will help identify and tackle misinformation, improve media literacy, and promote tolerant debate and discussions”.
Planned changes to the national curriculum will include a renewed focus on improving young people’s critical thinking.
The report pointed to the Department for Education’s Educate Against Hate website, which provided teaching resources on sensitive topics.
“We plan to include even more resources to help schools and colleges in their efforts to tackle antisemitism in the new year,” the government announced.
The document also referred to £2 million of funding for the Holocaust Education Trust, as well as the Holocaust Memorial Bill calling for a permanent memorial to the Shoah which is in its final parliamentary stages.
Universities, the report stated, must act to protect free speech, access to education and Jewish religious expression.
“This might include requiring disruptive or intimidating protesters to relocate,” it said, as well as working with local police to remove protesters where necessary.
“Student groups who unlawfully glorify terrorism should face disciplinary action,” the report added.
The report also outlined the government's mission to route antisemitism out of the sport and voluntary sector. Meanwhile, local authorities and the police should ensure they are working together with shared intelligence.
The government concluded, “These actions are only the beginning. We know that we need to do more to uphold our shared values and strengthen social cohesion.”
Pointing to a wider plan to counter extremism across society, which is set to be announced in the new year, the report said: “We must be more robust in standing up for our shared values and calling out the hateful ideologies that seek to divide us.
“Alongside further work on antisemitism, we will set out in the new year a wider action plan to improve social cohesion and to counter extremism across the board. This will address the deeper drivers of hate and prejudice within the UK.”
Tackling the extremism that drives antisemitism is “a test of who we are as a country”, the report said.
“We must all rise to that test. If what we do does not work for the Jewish community, then it does not work at all.”
