In a City A.M. column, Benjamin Bell says antisemitism has changed everyday decisions and family conversations about the future in Britain.
Benjamin Bell, a British Jewish writer for City A.M., says the sense of safety for many Jews in the United Kingdom changed after the October 7, 2023 attack. In a personal column, he describes everyday decisions he says have become part of life: whether to conceal a religious symbol on the bus, how to avoid a march and when to take a synagogue security shift.
Bell recalls his son asking why people hate Jews and wonders whether a Star of David on the child’s football kit could expose the team to violence. He says recurring conversations about whether Britain remains safe for Jews have led some people to consider leaving. At the same time, he says the community continues to gather for weddings, Friday dinners, vigils and charity events.
Bell cites the Community Security Trust (CST), which records antisemitic incidents and supports the security of British Jewish communities. The UK Parliament’s House of Commons Library says CST recorded 1,926 incidents in the first half of 2026, the second-highest first-half total on record. The figures include incidents that do not necessarily constitute crimes.
Bell calls for a strong response from police and political leaders and for greater attention to history. He also stresses preserving traditions and passing Jewish identity to future generations. The piece is an opinion column; the personal judgments and experiences belong to Bell.