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Starmer to host Downing Street summit to address antisemitism
Prime Minister Keir Starmer will host a Downing Street summit with senior business, culture and policing figures to tackle antisemitism through a whole-of-society approach. The event follows a spate of antisemitic incidents and a rise in UK security concerns amid the Middle East conflict.
Why It Matters
The summit signals a cross-sector government effort to confront antisemitism and protect Jewish communities in the UK, amid increasing security concerns.
Timeline
6 Events
May 5, 2026: Downing Street summit to address antisemitism
May 5, 2026
Sir Keir Starmer to host senior business, culture and policing figures at Downing Street for round-table discussions with Jewish community leaders as part of a cross-sector effort to tackle antisemitism. A Middle East Response Committee meeting will be convened in the afternoon to address domestic security implications of the Middle East conflict and heightened threats to Jewish communities.
May 4, 2026: Arrests over Golders Green memorial wall arson
May 4, 2026
The Metropolitan Police arrested two people on suspicion of arson in relation to an attack against a memorial wall in Golders Green earlier this month.
April 30, 2026: UK terrorism threat level raised to severe
April 30, 2026
The terrorism threat level in the UK was raised from 'substantial' to 'severe' for the first time in four years.
April 28, 2026: Government allocates £25m for increased police patrols and security
April 28, 2026
The government announced an additional £25 million in funding for increased police patrols in areas with large Jewish populations and for enhanced security at synagogues, schools and community centres.
March 23, 2026: Hatzola ambulances set alight
March 23, 2026
Four ambulances belonging to Jewish charity Hatzola were set alight; three men and a teenager have been charged in relation to the incident.
October 2025: Manchester attack outside a synagogue leaves two Jewish people dead
October 2025
Two Jewish people were killed and three left seriously injured after a car rammed and stabbed outside a synagogue in Manchester; one of the attackers was killed by police gunfire.