Interfaith

46 percent of UK Muslims support Hamas, majority skeptical of atrocities — poll These revelations come amidst a backdrop of heightened scrutiny over UK government policy towards Israel

(i24) A recent poll conducted in the United Kingdom has revealed significant support for Hamas among British Muslims, with 46% percent expressing their backing for the Palestinian terror group. Additionally, the survey indicates that only 25 percent of UK Muslims believe that […]

Government & Politics

Tory local election candidate stands down after ‘jew pigs’ social media post emerges Exclusive: Azmat Husain has withdrawn from contest in Eccles, Salford, but tells Jewish News a 'jew pigs' Facebook post was 'fake'

(Jewish News) A Conservative Party candidate has withdrawn from the forthcoming local elections after a social media post emerged in which he appeared to have used the words “jew pigs.” Azmat Husain had been due to stand as the Tory candidate for […]

Government & Politics

England fans warned of new terror threat for Euro 2024 with ‘dangers raised to new level’ ahead of tournament The Three Lions will be hoping to win the competition in Germany this summer

(GB News) England fans have been warned of a new terror threat as the European Championships this summer creep closer. After the recent attack in Moscow, Germany Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has claimed dangers have risen “to a new level” just 75 […]

Clerics & Preachers

Over 400 UK imams reject new extremism definition targeting Muslim groups Religious scholars accuse government of 'divisive tactics' and attempting to crack down on groups opposed to Israeli actions against Palestinians

(Middle East Eye) Over 400 British imams and religious scholars have signed a letter rejecting a new UK government definition of extremism that targeted several British Muslim organisations. Last week, Communities Secretary Michael Gove announced a contentious new definition of extremism, though the […]

Academics & Education

65% of young Muslims ‘have better attitude towards Jews’ after Holocaust education Researchers at University of Kent spoke to 3,000 school pupils before they started the programme, after completing it, and again a year later.

(Jewish News) More than 65 percent of young Muslims feel more positively about Jewish people after taking part in Anne Frank Trust programmes, according to new research. The “Educating Against Prejudice” report by social psychologists at the University of Kent presents data […]

Employment

Report: UK group probed for urging Muslim civil servants to spread anti-Israel views Civil Service Muslim Network suspended by deputy PM pending findings; its webinars found to portray Gaza war as fight between ‘good’ Hamas and ‘evil’ Israel, use antisemitic tropes

(Times of Israel) A British network that represents and supports Muslim civil servants was suspended by the government pending an investigation, after it was accused of trying to influence members to force the United Kingdom to change its stance on the Israel-Hamas […]

Children & Teens

Record number of children arrested in UK over ‘terrorist-related activities’ Overall, 219 people were detained in 2023, up a third on previous year and highest figure since 2019

(National-UAE) More than 40 children were arrested in connection with alleged terrorism offences in the UK last year — the highest number since records began, official figures show. The Home Office said police made 219 arrests for terrorism-related activities in the 12 […]

Government & Politics

Groups accused of ‘extremism’ hit back at Michael Gove and say re-assessment ‘will motivate us’ The communities secretary named five organisations that will be re-assessed against the government's new definition of extremism — and one has now threatened legal action.

(Sky News) Two groups set to be re-assessed under the government’s new definition of extremism have hit back at Michael Gove — with one saying the minister’s latest move will only bolster their organisation. Speaking in the Commons on Thursday, the communities […]

Government & Politics

Michael Gove names far-right and Islamist groups which could fall under fresh extremism definition The communities secretary insisted the government has no intention of restricting 'freedom of expression, religion or belief,' as critics warned the new definition could have a 'chilling effect' on free speech.

(Sky News) Michael Gove has named five groups that will be re-assessed as a result of the government’s new definition of extremism. Speaking in the Commons, the communities secretary said two far-right organisations — the British National Socialist Movement and the Patriotic […]

Government & Politics

New extremism definition unveiled because ‘democracy at risk from far-right and Islamist extremists’ Michael Gove updates the description to include conduct that falls short of criminality, but the government still deems 'unacceptable.'

(Sky News) The government has unveiled its new definition of extremism despite warnings it could have a “chilling effect” on free speech. Michael Gove, the communities secretary, has updated the definition as part of a drive to clamp down on the Islamist […]

Government & Politics

Tower Hamlets Council refuses to disclose how many Palestinian flags it has taken down In response to a freedom of information request asking how many Palestinian flags it had taken down following complaints by residents Tower Hamlets said disclosure could 'endanger the safety of individuals'

(Jewish News) An East London council has refused to answer a freedom of information (FOI) request asking to know how many Palestinian flags they have removed from lamp posts and other public property in the borough on the grounds that to do […]

Government & Politics

Government’s new extremism definition will ‘vilify the wrong people,’ warn Muslim organisations Groups say the new definition 'signals an attack on civil liberties by attacking law-abiding individuals and groups that oppose government policy' by labelling them as 'extremist.'

(Sky News) The government’s proposal to redefine extremism will “vilify the wrong people” and “risk more division,” according to a coalition of Muslim organisations. Signatories include groups which fear they may fall under the new definition announced as part of the government’s […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

UK terror attack survivors condemn anti-Muslim hatred in joint letter The signatories, including survivors and relatives of people who have been killed by extremists, have criticised some politicians for 'facilitating anti-Muslim hate.'

(Sky News) More than 50 victims of Islamist-inspired terror attacks, including the Manchester Arena bombing and Bataclan shooting, have joined together to call for an end to anti-Muslim hate. In a joint letter, they warn that it is the “height of irresponsibility” […]

Demonstrations

Michael Gove says ‘good-hearted people’ at pro-Palestine marches should question potential ‘extremist organisers’ Tens of thousands of people participated in a Gaza protest on Saturday in London — the fifth march in the capital this year — which saw five arrests and a counter-protester de-arrested.

(Sky News) Michael Gove has urged pro-Palestinian protesters to question whether extremist groups are behind some of the demonstrations — days ahead of publishing a new official definition of extremism. The housing secretary said “good-hearted people” attending the marches should be aware […]

Demonstrations

Claims of ‘no-go zones for Jews’ in London ‘total and utter fiction,’ says Shomrim president Rabbi Herschel Gluck has accused the Home Office’s independent advisor on extremism Robin Simcox of making claims about 'no-go [zones] for Jews' that have 'nothing to do with reality'

(Jewish News) Suggestions that there are no-go zones in London for Jews are “a total and utter fiction,” Shomrim president Rabbi Herschel Gluck has said. Responding to claims made by Robin Simcox, the Home Office’s independent advisor on extremism, who suggested that […]

Demonstrations

CST chief says claims London a no-go zone for Jews during Gaza protests ‘deeply troubling’ Mark Gardner, the CST’s chief executive, told Radio 4’s Today programme there was ’huge element of truth’ in the claim about the West End during pro-Palestine events

(Jewish News) A newspaper headline claiming London’s streets have become a “no-go zone for Jews” during pro-Palestinian protests is “deeply troubling,” the Community Security Trust’s chief executive has claimed, but he added that “it also contains a huge element of truth.” Mark […]

Clerics & Preachers

Muslim preacher reported to police after comparing October 7 attacks to Jews breaking out of concentration camps West Yorkshire police were handed a dossier filled with remarks Ladak has made since the Hamas attack

(GB News) A Muslim preacher who compared the October 7 attacks to Jews breaking out of concentration camps and attacking Nazis has been reported to the police. Sheikh Jaffer Ladak, the imam of the Baab-Ul-Ilm Centre in Leeds, made numerous comments on […]

News: Europe

Palestinian Solidarity Campaign distances itself from event with terrorist hijacker The PSC now says fundraising event featuring Leila Khaled 'did not clearly fall within the framework of the principles' it believes in

(Jewish News) The Palestine Solidarity Campaign has attempted to distance itself from an event advertised as a fundraiser for its West Midlands branch following an outcry after it emerged the Palestinian plane hijacker Leila Khaled is set to be among the speakers. […]

Academics & Education

UK to create ‘blacklist’ of Muslim groups under new extremism definition Government is bringing in robust changes to target groups and individuals 'undermining' British values

(National-UAE) The UK government is creating a “blacklist” of organisations under a new definition of extremism which would see their funding cut. Several Muslim groups are likely to be on the list after being singled out in government reports. The groups facing […]

News: Europe

Poll shows Muslims ‘happier in Britain than other European nations’ The Institute for the Impact of Faith in Life found that British Muslims are happier here than in most other European nations.

(New Arab) British Muslims living in the UK are happier than their co-religionists living in other European nations, a survey commissioned by the Institute for the Impact of Faith in Life (IIFL) has reported. The survey also found that they feel optimistic about […]

Demonstrations

Judge who failed to jail paraglider symbol London protest trio to be investigated Judge Tan Ikram spared the three women prison after they were convicted of terror offences at pro-Palestinian protest

(Jewish News) A senior judge who faced a barrage of criticism after he “decided not to punish” three women who had displayed paraglider images at a pro-Palestinian protest in London is to be investigated over alleged bias, reports say. Tan Ikram, the deputy chief magistrate, who allowed […]

Clerics & Preachers

Hate preachers to be blocked from entering the UK in fresh crackdown on extremism Ministers already have powers to block people who are 'non-conducive to the public good' — and believe they can be extended to include individuals preaching racism and incitement.

(Sky News) Hate preachers are to be banned from entering the UK. It is understood that officials will identify the most dangerous extremists from countries including Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Indonesia and add them to a warning list. Anyone on that list will […]