On the heels of a deadly attack on a Manchester synagogue, a political firestorm has erupted in the United Kingdom and Israel, exposing deep rifts over antisemitism, far-right activism, and the delicate balancing act faced by the Labour government as it seeks to maintain support among both Jewish and Muslim communities.
The controversy began in the aftermath of the October 2, 2025, attack in Manchester, where two people were killed and four others wounded at a synagogue. The incident sent shockwaves through the British Jewish community and prompted an urgent visit by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to the Greater Manchester Police headquarters the following day, highlighting the government’s concern over rising anti-Jewish violence.
Yet, even as the government sought to reassure Jewish citizens, the political landscape was rapidly shifting. On October 4, Israeli Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli announced he had invited Tommy Robinson—known for his leadership of the violent English Defence League and a long rap sheet of criminal convictions—to Israel. Chikli praised Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, as a “courageous leader on the front line against radical Islam,” a characterization that drew immediate condemnation from across the UK political spectrum.
Starmer’s office swiftly responded on October 6, stating, “Robinson does not speak for the decent, tolerant, patriotic majority of this country.” According to BBC reporting, the prime minister’s spokesperson made clear that Robinson’s brand of far-right activism and history of stoking fears of an Islamic takeover have no place in British public life.
Chikli, however, fired back on X (formerly Twitter), disparagingly labeling Starmer a “Palestinian.” “I couldn’t have asked for a better holiday blessing than a condemnation from the Palestinian @Keir_Starmer,” Chikli posted, making it clear he intended the label as an insult. He added, “Thank you, Keir – we’re proud to host @TRobinsonNewEra and if you don’t like it, that’s a sure sign it truly matters.” The exchange underscored not only the personal animosity but the widening gulf between the two governments over how to respond to rising extremism and antisemitism.
Robinson himself announced on October 6 that he would travel to Israel on October 13, with the Israeli government covering his travel and accommodation. He stated his intention to meet government leaders, visit the Knesset, and tour Judea and Samaria—the term used by right-wing Israeli politicians to describe the occupied West Bank. The move stunned many in the UK, given Robinson’s notoriety for leading the largest far-right demonstration in recent British history and his repeated criminal convictions, including for football violence, fraud, drug possession, and threatening behavior. In 2021, he lost a high-profile libel case after making slurs against a Syrian schoolboy who had been assaulted at school.
British Jewish organizations were quick to distance themselves from Robinson’s visit. The Board of Deputies and the Jewish Leadership Council issued a joint statement, declaring, “Robinson’s presence undermines those genuinely working to tackle Islamist extremism and foster community cohesion.” They went further, describing him as “a thug who represents the very worst of Britain.” It was a rare moment of unity among Jewish groups that have often supported the Israeli government, but in this case, drew a firm line against the far-right figure.
Chikli, undeterred, lashed out at the Board of Deputies, accusing them of being “openly aligned with left-wing, woke, pro-Palestinian parties.” He criticized their response in the wake of the Manchester attack, saying, “Just hours after Jews were murdered in Manchester, instead of demanding protection or holding the government accountable, the Board rushed for a photo-op with the prime minister.”
This war of words unfolded against a backdrop of mounting criticism of Labour’s handling of antisemitism and Jewish security. As reported by TheArticle, the BBC’s Newscast program on October 5 featured a thoughtful discussion about the Manchester synagogue attack and the government’s response, but commentators noted a conspicuous silence on Labour’s deeper dilemma: how to address antisemitism without alienating Muslim voters, a core constituency.
TheArticle’s analysis highlighted several failures by Labour, including what it described as a “shameful failure” by Starmer and his previous Home Secretary to tackle antisemitism at pro-Palestinian marches, or to ensure adequate policing for synagogues and Jewish neighborhoods. Sir Ephraim Mirvis, the Chief Rabbi, spoke out about the “unrelenting wave of hatred against Jews” on British streets and campuses, noting that protests often contain “outright antisemitism, outright support for Hamas.” He warned, “There is so much of this, which certainly is dangerous to many within our society.”
Labour’s recent recognition of an independent Palestinian state, without conditions such as the release of hostages or excluding Hamas from future governance in Gaza, drew further criticism. According to TheArticle, this decision, coupled with the party’s reluctance to confront antisemitism among its own MPs and activists, has fueled a “vicious atmosphere, not just of Israelophobia but of Jew-hatred.”
The political calculus is complicated by the upcoming local elections in May 2026. Many Labour MPs represent constituencies with growing numbers of Muslim voters and face pressure not to offend these communities, even as antisemitism becomes a more pressing national issue. At the same time, young voters—traditionally Labour’s base—are increasingly hostile to Israel and participate in volatile protests, making the party’s position even more precarious.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, acutely aware of the need to address anti-Jewish hatred, announced on October 5 that police would be empowered to require protesters to change location if they were responsible for repeated disorder. The move was met with skepticism by rights groups. Tom Southerden of Amnesty International UK called the plan “ludicrous” and suggested it might be a “cynical” attempt by the government to appear tough without addressing the root problems.
Labour now faces the risk of alienating both Jewish and Muslim voters, with the potential for internal splits or defections to independent groups, especially as former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn attempts to launch a new party. TheArticle observed that the party is “now forced to choose between British Jews and Left-wing Muslims,” a dilemma that could have profound implications for its future electoral prospects and social cohesion in Britain.
As the debate rages on, the Manchester attack has forced an uncomfortable reckoning over antisemitism, extremism, and the responsibilities of political leaders. The coming weeks will test whether Labour and the wider British establishment can navigate these treacherous waters without deepening divides or sacrificing the safety and trust of any community.
