UK Prime Minister Warns Iran Against Inciting Antisemitism at Downing Street Summit

He directly warned Iran that any efforts to incite antisemitism in Britain would not be tolerated, linking some incidents to potential foreign state involvement. The summit came amid recent attacks, including stabbings in Golders Green and an arson at a former synagogue in Whitechapel.

Starmer announced an extra £1.5 million in funding to strengthen community cohesion and protect Jewish areas facing the greatest risks. This includes £1 million to expand the Common Ground programme for local initiatives like community safety work and interfaith projects, plus £500,000 allocated to Barnet Council following serious antisemitic acts there.

The measures build on £25 million for increased police patrols and enhanced security at synagogues, schools, and community centers.

The summit followed the stabbing of two Jewish men, Shloime Rand, 34, and Moshe Shine, 76, in Golders Green on April 29, which the Metropolitan Police declared a terrorist incident. Essa Suleiman, 45, has been charged with three counts of attempted murder, including an earlier attack on Ishmail Hussein the same day.

Counter-terrorism officers are also probing a suspected arson at a former synagogue in Whitechapel early Tuesday morning. Starmer faced criticism from Jewish community members for perceived insufficient government action, including heckling during a visit to north London on Thursday.

In response, he labeled the situation a crisis and stressed confronting hatred from sources like Islamists, far-left, and far-right extremism. He highlighted a coordinated national plan to strengthen cohesion and address extremism in all forms. The IRGC has been accused by Western nations of sponsoring terrorism abroad.

Starmer also stated that universities must publish data on antisemitism on campuses and demonstrate actions to address it, while the Arts Council would withdraw public funding from projects platforming antisemitism. Attendees at the summit included Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson from Greater Manchester Police, university vice-chancellors, NHS bosses, trade union leaders, and members of the Jewish community.

President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews Phil Rosenberg expressed anger that issues had festered into a crisis but noted the summit's helpfulness, calling for protection, prosecution, and partnership. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood was among those present, as discussions focused on identifying forms of antisemitism and strategies to combat it.

Rosenberg emphasized the need for stepped-up policing of hate speech at protests without fully calling for bans, stressing civic responsibility alongside free speech.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch described antisemitism levels as a national emergency, comparing it to the 1930s and blaming Islamic extremists and hard-left ideology, particularly at pro-Palestine marches she called festivals of hatred. Starmer suggested that some pro-Palestinian marches might need to be stopped due to their cumulative effect on Jewish communities, though campaign groups defended their right to peaceful protest and rejected links to attacks on Jews.

Liberal Democrat MP Munira Wilson acknowledged peaceful demonstrations but called for zero tolerance of hateful speech. The prime minister's announcements reflect frustration within the Jewish community over hate speech and demands to proscribe the IRGC.

“We need to do three things: we need to protect, we need to prosecute and we need to partner.”