The Existential Threat to Jewish communities: Why Anti-Semitism Is a National Security Imperative
For Jewish communities globally, the specter of insecurity isn’t a recent advancement. It’s woven into the fabric of their history, a legacy of centuries of persecution tragically culminating in the Holocaust.While decades have passed since that unimaginable horror, the underlying fear persists, manifesting in a heightened state of vigilance that should alarm us all. This isn’t simply a matter of communal safety; it’s a critical national security issue demanding a fundamental shift in how Western governments respond to anti-Semitism.
My own experiences underscore this reality. Decades ago, serving as a contact point for an Israeli diplomat stationed in Turkey, I witnessed firsthand the constant, debilitating anxiety of living under threat. His inability to travel freely,relying instead on the precarious safety of taxis,and the deliberate obscurity surrounding his residence,were stark reminders of the dangers faced simply by representing Israel. Today, that level of security is tragically commonplace.
Across the United Kingdom, synagogues and Jewish schools now operate under security protocols reminiscent of conflict zones I encountered in Kabul.Organizations like the Community Security Trust (CST) exist solely to provide physical protection for Jewish institutions and individuals. The chilling reality is that following any terrorist incident, the immediate, instinctive question within the Jewish community isn’t “Who did this?” but “Are we safe?”
This is precisely the outcome terrorism seeks to achieve. It’s working. And it’s a testament to its success that the mere possibility of violence can dictate how Jewish life is lived – and increasingly, where it is indeed lived.
The tolerance of terrorism against any community erodes the foundations of a democratic society. If we fail to safeguard the Jewish community,we signal to other vulnerable groups that their security is expendable. This isn’t hyperbole; it’s a logical progression. A society that allows one group to live in fear is a society on a risky path.
The UK’s response to the 2005 London bombings offered a crucial lesson.While pursuing and preparing for attacks is essential,it’s insufficient. We learned that defeating terrorism requires dismantling the ideological roots of hatred,actively countering the narratives that radicalize individuals. This same principle must be applied to anti-Semitism.
Recent media attention to anti-Semitism, notably following the Sydney attack, is a welcome development. Though, the prevailing focus on “protection” – bolstering security around synagogues and schools, providing armored transport – misses the point. As terrorists understand,these measures are merely palliative. They don’t address the underlying disease.
The insidious creep of anti-Semitism is already impacting daily life. we’ve seen events cancelled,teams banned,and performers ostracized,not due to any legitimate security threat,but because of anxieties surrounding their Jewish identity or connection to Israel. This creates a climate where Jewish individuals are subtly, yet powerfully, discouraged from openly expressing their identity. When “safety concerns” become a pretext for exclusion, the message is clear: this isn’t a place where you can truly belong.
This is a losing strategy. If Jewish communities are forced to conclude that there are safer places to live, we will have surrendered to terror.
The solution isn’t simply more security; it’s a declaration of war on anti-Semitism itself. This is, admittedly, a complex undertaking. The line between legitimate criticism of Israeli policy and anti-Semitic rhetoric is frequently enough blurred. Concerns about a state-backed campaign potentially backfiring, leading to further isolation and resentment, are valid.
But the risks of inaction far outweigh the challenges of confronting this issue head-on. The status quo is unsustainable.
We are rapidly approaching a tipping point. Another mass casualty attack – imagine a scenario unfolding on Passover in a major European or American city in 2026 – and the exodus will begin. And when that happens, we will have demonstrably failed to protect a vital part of our societies and, in doing so, will have handed a significant victory to terrorism.
The time to act is now. Anti-Semitism is not just a matter of social justice; it is indeed a fundamental national security priority. We must move beyond reactive measures and embrace a proactive, complete strategy that confronts the hatred fueling these attacks and reaffirms the right of Jewish communities to live freely and securely. The future of our democracies may depend on it.
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* Expertise: Drawing on personal experience and framing the issue within a broader national security context.
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