Keir Starmer to host Downing Street summit to address antisemitism

Sir Keir Starmer is set to bring together prominent leaders from business, culture, and law enforcement at Downing Street on Tuesday as part of a comprehensive strategy to combat antisemitism throughout society. This coordinated initiative highlights the prime minister’s emphasis on collective responsibility, stressing that simply expressing solidarity with Jewish communities is insufficient without active measures to eliminate antisemitism in all areas.

The summit follows a series of troubling antisemitic episodes, including the recent stabbing of two Jewish men in the Golders Green area on 29 April. To address these issues in a sector-specific manner, key government ministers—including the home secretary, communities secretary, health secretary, education secretary, and culture secretary—will each lead round-table discussions with leaders from their respective fields. Though No 10 has not disclosed the full list of participants, it has confirmed representation from business, civil society, health, culture, higher education, policing, and members of the Jewish community.

Participants will be invited to examine the particular manifestations of antisemitism within their sectors, review current efforts to combat it, and discuss ways to enhance their responses. Later in the day, the prime minister will convene a meeting of ministers focused on the Middle East Response Committee. This session will concentrate on the domestic security challenges stemming from recent conflicts abroad, particularly the increased threats faced by Jewish communities following recent violent incidents.

In his opening statement, Sir Keir Starmer is expected to describe the Golders Green attack as “part of a pattern of rising antisemitism that has left our Jewish communities feeling frightened, angry, and asking whether this country, their home, is safe for them.” He will emphasize the wider significance of these assaults, saying, “These disgusting attacks are being made against British Jews. But, make no mistake, this crisis – it is a crisis for all of us. It is a test of our values. Values that are not guaranteed, but are earned. Every single day, through our actions.”

The suspect behind the Golders Green attack, 45-year-old Essa Suleiman, has been charged with three counts of attempted murder. Victims Shloime Rand, aged 34, and Norman Shine, aged 76, were attacked in this north London neighborhood, with a third individual, Ishmail Hussein—who was acquainted with Suleiman—also assaulted earlier the same day. The Metropolitan Police have classified the incident as a terrorist attack.

This event is part of a broader wave of antisemitic violence and intimidation. Last October, a car ramming and stabbing attack occurred outside a Manchester synagogue, resulting in two Jewish fatalities and three serious injuries, one victim being shot by police. In response to recent escalations, the UK’s terrorism threat level was raised from “substantial” to “severe” on 30 April, marking the first upgrade in four years. Alongside violent attacks, there have been arson incidents targeting Jewish sites, including the torching of four ambulances operated by the Jewish charity Hatzola in March, for which three men and a teenager have been charged. The Metropolitan Police recently arrested two individuals suspected of arson related to an attack on a memorial wall in Golders Green.

Commander Helen Flanagan, who leads Counter Terrorism Policing London, stated that investigations continue into multiple incidents across northwest London following the Hatzola ambulance attacks. She reported that the police have made 30 arrests to date, with nine people formally charged. In addition to these enforcement efforts, the government announced last week a £25 million boost in funding aimed at increasing police patrols in neighborhoods with significant Jewish populations, as well as improving security measures at synagogues, schools, and community centers

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