Online spaces are increasingly being used to incite and organize far-right-led riots, with messages encouraging followers to target Jewish people, according to community security experts. One forum, allegedly jointly run by a suspected neo-Nazi based overseas, played a key role in organizing a protest that turned into a riot in Southport. This individual has a history of calling for attacks on Jewish places of worship and has been reported to the police for encouraging violent antisemitism.
The Community Security Trust (CST), which monitors and investigates antisemitism in Britain, has been tracking these online spaces and providing safety advice to Jewish communities. The CST works closely with the police and Muslim groups to address the rising tensions and fear across communities that have been targeted by far-right organizers. These organizers have called for at least 30 sites around England to be targeted, many of which are linked to immigration and asylum locations.
The gatherings organized by the far-right have directed their violence towards people perceived as not being white or British. While organizers claim these gatherings are protests against immigration, the police have stated that they are a „masquerade“ for violent intent to harm minorities, asylum seekers, damage property, and steal.
The CST spokesperson highlighted the concerning trend of far-right online spaces encouraging followers to target Jews, as well as other marginalized groups. Some of the targets identified for Wednesday’s gatherings are near Jewish community venues, prompting the CST to advise these communities on appropriate security measures.
Security for places like synagogues, Jewish schools, and community halls is already high due to the spike in antisemitic incidents recorded by the CST following the conflict in Gaza last October. The British far right is using propaganda to spread lies about Muslim people and asylum seekers to gain supporters, while also engaging in antisemitic rhetoric in online forums.
The CST is now worried that this antisemitic rhetoric is linked to the violence seen on Britain’s streets in recent weeks. The spokesperson emphasized that while antisemitic chat from the far right is not new, its presence in online spaces used by individuals involved in violent disorder is particularly concerning.
Recent reports have also shown a threefold increase in hate crime incidents against Muslims in Britain, as recorded by the charity Tell Mama. This rise in anti-Islamic hatred further underscores the need for vigilance and collaboration among communities and security organizations to combat extremism and protect vulnerable groups.