A Jewish charity is mounting its ‘largest ever’ security operation in conjunction with police amid fears that Iranian-funded terror groups will target British Jews around the anniversary of the Hamas-led massacre of Israel.
Israel’s National Security Council warned that ‘efforts to carry out attacks against Israeli/Jewish targets abroad are expected to intensify’ around October 7 — a date which also coincides with four of the holiest days in the Jewish calendar.
It comes amid record rates of anti-Semitism across Britain including incidents of physical assault, desecration to property and online abuse.
Last night, the Community Security Trust issued an extensive security notice to British Jews warning of potential revenge attacks against the community following the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hasan Nasrallah.
They warned that ‘Hezbollah and Iran have a long record of terrorist attacks against Diaspora Jewish communities’ so urge congregates to keep synagogue ‘gates and doors closed’ and that people ‘disperse quickly’ once religious services have finished.
In case of an emergency, Jews should ‘know how to lockdown and barricade’, the notice concluded.
Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police have said that uniformed and plainclothes police officers will be ‘on patrol in greater numbers in key areas’ to try and protect the community from any threats.
A spokesman for CST told the Mail: ‘The High Holy Days are always a sensitive period for the Jewish community, and they now coincide with the anniversary of the horrific Hamas terror attack on October 7.
‘CST will be mounting its largest ever High Holy Days security operation throughout this extended period, working closely with police forces across the country to enable our community to observe these important festivals.’
Scotland Yard said: ‘Since October 7, 2023, we have seen a concerning increase in anti-Semitic hate crime, as well as the ever-present threat from extremism or terrorism.
‘Officers have been working closely with community members and key partners, including the Community Security Trust, to provide advice, reassurance and a visible presence.’
On Wednesday Israel’s National Security Council warned that there is ‘increased likelihood’ of attacks during the Jewish High Holidays — Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah.
It stated: ‘We expect October 7, 2024, to be a significant date for terrorist organisations (and in particular Hamas and Global Jihad factions).
‘The high motivation among terrorist organisations (Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, Global Jihad) alongside the anti-Israeli, anti-Jew hate-filled atmosphere in many countries since the beginning of the war, significantly increase the likelihood of lone-wolf assailants, grassroots organisations or organised terrorist groups carrying out attacks against Israelis/Jews abroad.’
The Jewish New Year — ‘Rosh Hashanah’ — begins on October 2 and ends on October 4.
Last year’s devastating attacks also took place on the morning of ‘Simchat Torah’, a Jewish festival which this year falls on October 25.
Security expert Eyal Pinko, who spent 30 years in the Israeli navy and intelligence, explained: ‘Iranian terror proxies see attacking Jewish targets as a way of taking revenge against Israel.
‘Jewish community centres in Europe are considered to be a ‘soft belly’ as they are very vulnerable.
‘But cooperation between the British and Israeli intelligence agencies is very good and if there is any Israeli intelligence about an attack in Britain then for sure this information would be shared.’
Already several potential terror attacks have been foiled in Europe thanks to intelligence shared by the Israeli secret services.
David Collins, Chief Operating Officer of the United Synagogue, a union of British Orthodox synagogues representing the central Orthodox movement, said: ‘Sadly the United Synagogue has to worry about the safety of its communities, synagogues, nurseries and cemeteries every day of the year.
‘The charity spends £1,000,000 a year on security.’
More than 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed by Hamas terrorists on October 7 and over 240 hostages abducted.