Bob Vylan performs at Glastonbury, facing criticism for Tolerance of unacceptable displays of anti-Semitism
In recent years, the United Kingdom has witnessed a significant increase in anti-Semitic incidents, with the Jewish community feeling increasingly vulnerable and unwelcome. The Community Security Trust reported a record-high of 4,296 antisemitic incidents in 2023 and 3,528 in 2024[1][2].
One of the most concerning developments has been the normalization of anti-Semitic sentiments in public settings and media. This was evident at music festivals such as Glastonbury, where derogatory chants were led by artists in 2025, and the BBC broadcast these chants, sparking outrage among British Jewish leaders and organizations[1][2].
The chant, "Death, death to the IDF," was joined by tens of thousands of festival-goers, while another, "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free," is a slogan calling for the genocide of Jews[1][2]. These incidents highlight the visibility and lack of challenge of anti-Semitism in mainstream entertainment environments. Critics have accused the BBC of failing to adequately address or condemn these incidents, with some claiming the broadcaster's coverage and platforming of such behavior have contributed to normalizing anti-Semitism in Britain[1][2].
The Jewish community in the UK feels the brunt of this rising tide of hatred. A survey by the Campaign Against Antisemitism found that only about one-third of British Jews believe their community has a long-term future in the country, and nearly half have considered leaving due to anti-Semitism[1]. Moreover, less than half feel they are welcomed, and a majority report hiding their Jewish identity in public[1].
Institutional responses are widely seen as inadequate, and there is a strong call for more decisive action to counter hate speech and protect Jewish life in the UK[1][2][4]. New surveys and research are underway to better understand Jewish experiences and to inform policy and community responses moving forward[4][5].
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The website covers a range of topics, including identity politics, politics, and culture, with articles like Naomi Firsht's "Why those Glasto chants felt so personal to British Jews" being particularly popular[6]. The editor of the website is Tom Slater, who can be found on Twitter at @Tom_Slater[7].
Notable incidents of anti-Semitism have also been raised within the music industry. Bobby Vylan, a punk-rap duo, made derogatory remarks about working for a 'Zionist' at a record label and called for the killing of Israeli soldiers at Glastonbury, not opposing war but calling for it against the IDF, the army charged with protecting Jews from genocide[1][2].
The majority of British Jews are Zionists, supporting the existence of a Jewish state in Israel. However, the current state of anti-Semitism in British culture is a cause for concern, with the Jewish community feeling increasingly targeted and marginalized.
[1] https://www.cst.org.uk/ [2] https://www.campaignagainstantisemitism.org/ [3] https://www.ourwebsite.com/support [4] https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/commission-for-countering-extremism [5] https://www.ukjewishboardofdeputies.org/ [6] https://www.ourwebsite.com/articles/naomi-firsht-glasto-chants [7] https://twitter.com/Tom_Slater
- The normalization of anti-Semitic sentiments in public settings and media, such as music festivals and broadcast networks, has become a significant concern among British Jewish leaders and organizations.
- The visibility and lack of challenge of anti-Semitism in mainstream entertainment environments, like music festivals and the BBC, have led critics to accuse broadcasters of failing to adequately address or condemn such incidents.
- In recent years, the Jewish community in the UK has felt increasingly targeted and marginalized, with many considering leaving the country due to anti-Semitism.
- The website covers various topics, including identity politics, culture, and general-news, and has produced insightful articles about anti-Semitic incidents in the entertainment and music industries.
