Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, has voiced concern over what he described as a “deeply troubling” rise in antisemitism in the United Kingdom, warning that increasing hostility toward Jewish communities has already led to violent attacks and threatens to deepen divisions across British society.
In an opinion article, the Duke of Sussex noted that, public anger over events in the Middle East must be directed toward governments and political leaders rather than entire communities based on their faith or identity.
“Nothing, whether criticism of a government or the reality of violence and destruction, can ever justify hostility toward an entire people or faith.”
Prince Harry
This intervention comes amid growing concern over a series of attacks targeting Jewish institutions and individuals in Britain. Among the most recent incidents was the stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green, north London.
Prince Harry acknowledged that public demonstrations and criticism of state actions are an essential part of democratic life. However, he said people must be more precise about where they direct their anger and ensure legitimate protest does not become a vehicle for prejudice.
“We have seen how legitimate protest against state actions in the Middle East does exist alongside hostility toward Jewish communities at home, just as we have also seen how criticism of those actions can be too easily dismissed or mischaracterised.”
Prince Harry
He stressed that “hatred directed at people for who they are, or what they believe, is not protest. It is prejudice.”
The Duke added that, he felt compelled to speak publicly because silence can allow “hate and extremism to flourish unchecked.”
He argued that criticism of governments remains both legitimate and necessary when serious concerns arise under international humanitarian law.
“We cannot ignore a difficult truth: when states act without accountability, and in ways that raise serious questions under international humanitarian law – criticism is both legitimate, necessary and essential in any democracy.”
Prince Harry
At the same time, the Duke of Sussex indicated that, those who protest must recognise that “the onus falls squarely on the state, not an entire people.”
Prince Harry also reflected on his own history, saying he has learned from “past mistakes,” an apparent reference to the 2005 controversy in which he wore a Nazi uniform to a costume party. He later apologised and described the incident as “a poor choice of costume.”
Moreover, in his article, the Duke argued that increasingly polarised public debate has blurred the distinction between criticism and hatred, contributing to greater misunderstanding and social tension and appeal for unity, urging people to reject all forms of bigotry, including antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred.
He said, “When anger is turned towards communities, whether Jewish, Muslim, or any other – it ceases to be a call for justice and becomes something far more corrosive.”
Britain Raises Terror Threat Level as Antisemitic Attacks Intensify
Recently, Britain raised its national terrorism threat level from “substantial” to “severe” following an antisemitic stabbing attack in north London, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned that Jewish communities across the country are living in fear amid a surge in hate-related incidents.
The decision was announced one day after police declared the attack in Golders Green, a predominantly Jewish area of London, a terrorist incident.
Two Jewish men were hospitalised with stab wounds, and a 45-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder. “Britain’s Jewish community suffered yet another vile terrorist attack,” Starmer said earlier, describing the incident as part of a broader pattern of rising antisemitism in the country.
The Prime Minister added that, many Jewish people now feel unsafe in everyday life.
“People are scared, scared to show who they are in their community, scared to go to synagogue and practice their religion, scared to go to university as a Jew, to send their children to school as a Jew, to tell their colleagues that they are Jewish, even to use our NHS.”
Keir Starmer
Starmer further noted that, “nobody should live like that in Britain, but Jews do,” adding. “Antisemitism is an old, old hatred. History shows that the roots are deep and if you turn away, it grows back. Yet far too many people in this country diminish it.”
The Golders Green attack follows several other incidents in recent months, including an arson attack targeting the Jewish ambulance service Hatzola, an attempted firebombing at a London synagogue and other antisemitic assaults.
In response, the government announced an additional £25 million to strengthen security for Jewish communities, including more specialist and plain-clothes officers. Funding will also support new electric ambulances for Hatzola after several of its vehicles were destroyed.
According to the Community Security Trust (CST), which monitors antisemitism and provides protection to British Jews, 3,700 antisemitic incidents were reported in 2025, a 4 per cent increase from the previous year.
The group also recorded 1,541 online incidents, the highest annual figure to date, highlighting the growing role of social media in spreading hate speech and coordinated harassment.
Public concern within the Jewish community has risen sharply over the past decade, with nearly half of British Jews now viewing antisemitism as a major problem.
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