**Surge in Antisemitism Reports Follows Bob Vylan Glastonbury Chants, Says Charity**
Reports of antisemitic incidents in the United Kingdom significantly increased in the aftermath of a controversial performance by punk duo Bob Vylan at the Glastonbury Festival, according to figures released by the Community Security Trust (CST). The charity, which monitors and records antisemitism across the country, has expressed concern over what it describes as “extreme levels of Jew-hatred” being experienced in communities.
According to the CST, rhetoric and sentiment surrounding the state of Israel are increasingly influencing the tone and frequency of modern antisemitic discourse. This persistent trend is evident not only in the language used online and offline but also around high-profile cultural and political moments that draw public attention. The statistics from CST reveal that between January and June of 2025, 1,521 antisemitic incidents were reported across the country—marking the second-highest number ever documented for the first half of any year. Although this figure represents a reduction of approximately 25% compared to the 2,019 incidents recorded during the same period last year, it remains alarmingly high.
The CST’s report notes a particularly sharp increase on 29th June, when 26 incidents were recorded—the highest daily tally so far this year. This uptick occurred one day after a Bob Vylan set at Glastonbury, which was broadcast by the BBC. During the performance, rapper Bobby Vylan led a chant of “Death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)”, a move that generated a swift response from both the Jewish community and observers more broadly. The CST reports that many of the incidents that followed were triggered directly by reactions to this event and to its own public statement on the matter, which labelled the chant as “utterly chilling”.
Investigations into the performance by Avon and Somerset Police remain ongoing, reflecting the seriousness with which authorities are treating these matters. The episode at Glastonbury is not seen as isolated—another peak was recorded on 17th May, one day after Israel announced a further expansion of its military campaign in Gaza, underscoring the link between international events and local repercussions. According to the CST, just over 50% of the incidents this year referenced or were directly connected to Israel, Palestine, the Hamas attack of October 2023, or the ongoing conflict that ensued.
Such findings point to a consistent pattern: sharp rises in anti-Jewish incidents tend to coincide with flashpoints in the Israel-Palestine conflict, particularly when these events are widely discussed in the British media. CST Chief Executive Mark Gardner commented that these figures reveal “extreme levels of Jew-hatred, committed in the name of anti-Israel activism”, and highlighted the distressing environment facing the UK’s Jewish population.
June proved to be the month with the highest number of incidents, following renewed violence in Gaza. Among the reports received by the CST in the first six months of the year were 76 violent assaults deemed antisemitic, including three considered “extreme violence” resulting in grievous bodily harm or life-threatening circumstances. There were also 84 occurrences of damage or desecration of Jewish property, 21 instances involving the widespread distribution of antisemitic material, and a staggering 1,236 cases categorised as verbal or written abuse.
Online incidents comprised 38% of all reports, with 572 cases documented in the first half of the year—though this does represent a 12% decrease compared to 2024. Gardner’s remarks provided further insight, describing the range of abuse: “It involves racial hatred, yelled at Jewish schoolchildren, scrawled on synagogue walls and thrown at anyone who is Jewish, or suspected of being Jewish.”
Regional data shows that Greater London accounted for 774 antisemitic incidents, while Greater Manchester recorded 194. Both cities saw a reduction compared with last year’s statistics. Beyond these metropolitan areas, West Yorkshire, Hertfordshire, Scotland, Sussex, and the West Midlands reported the highest numbers outside London and Manchester. Interestingly, Suffolk was the only mainland police region to log zero incidents during this time frame.
Speaking on behalf of the government, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the continued prevalence of antisemitism as “shameful”, pledging that authorities “remain steadfast in [their] commitment to root out the poison of antisemitism wherever it is found”. Meanwhile, Lord Mann, the government’s independent adviser on antisemitism, warned that the latest figures demonstrate unprecedented pressure on the Jewish community and called for a “no tolerance approach” to anti-Jewish racism in British society.
The evident link between international developments and spikes in domestic hate incidents signals an ongoing challenge for authorities, community leaders, and civil society. With both government officials and monitoring organisations vowing to push back against these trends, the focus now is on fostering a climate in which all communities can feel safe and protected from discrimination.