Prince Harry Warns of Rising Antisemitism in UK

Prince Harry has issued a stark warning regarding a 'deeply troubling rise in antisemitism' within the UK, citing a recent spate of attacks against the Jewish community. In an op-ed published in The New Statesman, he urged the public to separate legitimate protests against certain state actions from prejudice directed at Jewish people.

Separating Protest from Prejudice

Harry cautioned that the current climate risks creating a 'divided kingdom.' He stressed the critical need to distinguish between political dissent and targeted hatred.

• He advised separating protests concerning the Israeli government from prejudice against Jewish individuals.
• He referred generally to states whose actions "raise serious questions under international humanitarian law," acknowledging the devastation in regions like Gaza and Lebanon.
• He warned that conflating protest with prejudice is dangerous.

The Danger of Directed Anger

According to Harry, when anger is redirected toward specific communities—be they Jewish, Muslim, or otherwise—the protest loses its call for justice and becomes "far more corrosive."

He emphasized the need for a different response to injustice:

• "We cannot answer injustice with more injustice," he stated.
• Breaking the cycle requires refusing to pass on the negativity, demanding an unequivocal stand against antisemitism.
• He noted that anti-Muslim hatred and all forms of racism often stem from the same source of division.

Recent Incidents Highlight Concern

Harry referenced several recent incidents that fueled his concern:

• Lethal violence in London and Manchester.
• Specifically mentioned was an attack that killed two Jewish worshippers at a Manchester synagogue in October.
• He also cited a daylight stabbing of two Jewish men in north London, noting that the community was already dealing with multiple antisemitic attacks targeting synagogues and communal buildings.

Context of Royal Commentary

While the British royal family typically avoids overt political interventions, Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, have become significantly more vocal since stepping back from working royal duties.