Antisemitism rises in the UK and Canada, impacting schools and public safety

Reports from the United Kingdom and Canada indicate a significant rise in antisemitic incidents, impacting both educational environments and general public safety.

In the United Kingdom, a study based on an upcoming government review reveals that Jewish school principals are increasingly forced to prioritize security over education. Preliminary figures for the first half of 2026 show 1,926 anti-Jewish hate incidents, an increase from 1,598 during the same period the previous year. One principal reported that security concerns occasionally consumed 90 percent of their time. Additionally, one in five of approximately 5,000 surveyed Jewish youths reported experiencing antisemitic behavior.

In Canada, July 2026 has been described as an alarming period for the Jewish community. Data from Statistics Canada for 2025 showed that Jewish Canadians were the most frequently targeted religious minority, with 788 recorded hate crimes despite representing roughly one percent of the population. Advocacy groups note that these incidents have evolved from hate speech and vandalism into sustained public safety and national security challenges.