Prince Harry’s latest comments on antisemitism were lacking in logic, it has been suggested. In his article in the New Statesman on Thursday, the prince wrote that Britain is seeing an increase in antisemitism, and “deep and justified alarm” at the loss of life in the Middle East. “Images from Gaza, Lebanon and the wider region – of devastated communities and entire neighbourhoods levelled and reduced to rubble – have shaken people to their core,” Harry added. “For many, the instinct to speak out, to march, to demand accountability, to call for an end to suffering – is both human and necessary.”
The prince also, in apparent reference to Israel, suggested that “legitimate protest against state actions” exists “alongside hostility toward Jewish communities at home”, and highlighted that these issues must not be conflated. But Shimon Cohen, campaign director of Shechita UK, suggested that Harry’s “foray into international politics is woefully lacking in logic”.
The prince appeared to suggest that British Jews had “experienced hostility and violence because of concerns about Gaza”, he added, which “veers dangerously close to victim-blaming, implying that the actions of a foreign government somehow justify attacks on entirely unrelated individuals in Britain”.
It comes as King Charles visited Golders Green to speak with members of the Jewish community earlier this week, including those who responded after two men were stabbed in the street on April 29.
On May 10, counter-terrorism police announced that they had arrested a man and a woman following an arson attack at a former synagogue in east London.
Two days before, a ninth person was detained in connection with an arson attack on Jewish community ambulances.
“The prince might instead ask why, despite widespread opposition in the UK to American foreign policy and deep dislike of the US President, Americans are not being stabbed on the streets of London, nor are McDonald’s restaurants being firebombed,” Mr Cohen said.
“Civilised societies distinguish between disagreement with a government and violence against innocent people.”
The Metropolitan Police has announced a community protection team of 100 extra officers to help safeguard the Jewish community, despite the force’s chief previously saying 300 more officers were needed to tackle the rise in antisemitism across the capital.