The National Jewish Assembly (NJA) expresses grave concern over the growing disparity in how antisemitism is handled by UK law enforcement, following the recent decision by Cambridgeshire Police to classify a swastika sent to Jewish students as a “non-crime hate incident.” This alarming failure to act sends a dangerous signal that antisemitism is not taken seriously in the UK, fostering an environment in which hatred against Jews can flourish without consequence.
The incident in question involved an image of a Star of David combined with a swastika, sent to the Union of Jewish Students with the caption, “The irony of becoming what you once hated.” Accompanying the image were claims accusing Jewish students of “pushing pro-genocide propaganda.” Despite the overtly hateful nature of this act, Cambridgeshire Police deemed it insufficiently offensive to qualify as a crime, labelling it a “non-crime hate incident” instead.
Steve Winston, Managing Director of the NJA, condemned the police’s inaction: “How can the UK claim to take antisemitism seriously when such blatant acts of hatred are dismissed as mere technicalities? This is not just a failure to enforce the law – it’s an abdication of moral responsibility. Antisemitism is being normalised, and the message to perpetrators is clear: there are no consequences for targeting Jews.”
This case is not isolated. In recent months, multiple incidents of overt antisemitism – including swastikas displayed at pro-Palestine marches and explicit support for terrorist organisations like Hamas – have been met with insufficient police action. While some arrests have been made, the response has been inconsistent, leaving the Jewish community feeling vulnerable and unsupported. The disparity between how antisemitism is handled and how other forms of hatred are addressed highlights a disturbing double standard in UK policing.
“It is inconceivable that the very symbol of the Holocaust, used to intimidate Jewish students, could be classified as anything less than grossly offensive,” Winston added. “The law must be applied equally, and antisemitism cannot be allowed to fester through police indifference.”
The NJA calls on the UK government and police forces to urgently review their handling of antisemitism, ensuring that hate crimes against Jews are treated with the same seriousness as other forms of prejudice. Anything less undermines the principles of equality and justice, putting the safety of the Jewish community at risk. The NJA stands ready to work with authorities to combat this alarming rise in antisemitism and ensure that hate has no place in British society.
