Jewish schools are increasing their safety measures because they are worried that there might be more hatred and discrimination against Jewish children.
More police are watching over certain schools in London and Manchester. Parents are worried about their children’s safety.
Some students have been told that they don’t have to wear blazers in public places, so people won’t know they are Jewish.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly stated that protecting the safety of the Jewish community in the UK is of utmost importance.
He said to the BBC that in the past, Jewish people in the UK have been unfairly targeted because of things happening in the Middle East.
Three days after Hamas attacked Israel with the intention to kill, over 900 people have been reported dead. Almost 690 people have been killed in retaliatory attacks on Gaza, according to Palestinian authorities.
Students at the Jewish Free School in Kenton, north London, were informed that there will be no after-school punishments and they can choose whether or not to wear a blazer with the school’s logo.
Headteacher David Moody said in an email to parents that the main priority is to make sure students are safe when traveling to and from school. It is also important to ensure that the school can take care of our children during the school day.
Suzi, whose son is 14 years old and goes to the school, said: “The effects of what’s happening are not just limited to the school, they also impact the community. ”
As a parent, it can be difficult because you want to keep your children safe and make sure they are okay in their feelings and bodies.
Her older daughter, who is 18 years old, used to go to the same school as Nathanel Young. He was killed in the attack by Hamas on Saturday.
“He was walking in the same hallways as her,” Suzi said, but we are not using her full name.
She mentioned that it was unfortunate that, as a Jewish community, they were accustomed to having strong security measures in public places.
This has become more important because of what happened. “We are all feeling very shocked and sad,” she said.
In another Jewish school in Manchester, fewer students are coming to school and there are more police officers in the area.
The headteacher of King David School, John Dalziel, said that the police came to the school on Tuesday morning in order to make the students and parents feel safer.
He is telling students to think about removing their blazers or hiding the crest on their uniform when they are out in public.
He said that he told students to be happy with themselves and to tell someone if they experience any attacks against Jewish people.
Another mother named Michal has three children who attend Broughton Jewish Cassel Fox Primary School in Salford. She mentioned that there has been an increase in patrols in her neighborhood.
She said that they have added more security, canceled school trips, and are making sure all doors are locked while school is in session.
The scariest part is that there are people in Manchester who are celebrating the killing of Jewish people.
Michal, who we won’t say her last name, said that although the school is trying hard to keep the children safe, she’s still worried about their wellbeing.
The local police and an organization called Community Security Trust, which supports Jewish people in the UK with security and antisemitism issues, are working together to increase security.
It said that it was working together with the government to help organize and plan security, particularly in schools.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says the government is doing everything possible to ensure the safety of the UK’s Jewish community.
He said on Tuesday that he wanted to remind everyone that Hamas was a banned terrorist group, and anyone caught helping them would be held responsible.
The Home Secretary Suella Braverman has sent a letter to police chiefs in England and Wales, asking them to increase the number of patrols and use their authority to stop actions that cause trouble and worry to our communities.
She said that British streets should not have any demonstrations, convoys, or people waving flags that support terrorism or bother the Jewish community.
On Monday, the police arrested three people after a protest in support of Palestine happened near the Israeli embassy in Kensington, which is in west London.
At the same time, British Jewish people came together in Downing Street to hold a vigil. They lit candles to remember the victims and prayed for the people who were missing and those who were being kept captive.
The phrase “Free Palestine” has been written on bridges in the popular Jewish neighborhood of Golders Green in north London. The authorities are currently looking into this graffiti.
“British Transport Police stated that it is wrong to hurt or bother someone because of their identity. ”
During the BBC interview, the foreign secretary advised British citizens in Israel who want to leave to use regular transportation options. He also stated that the UK government was not currently organizing any special evacuations.
When asked if the policy could change, Mr. Cleverly said that things are changing quickly and he doesn’t want to guess what might happen in the future.
He said the situation in Israel is different from many other diplomatic issues because there are a lot of British-Israeli citizens who consider Israel their permanent home or are in the military.