Report finds Salford the joint-highest for antisemitism in Greater Manchester

Salford is the joint-highest place for antisemitism in Greater Manchester, based on data from the first six months of the year. 

Salford and Bury were the joint-highest place for antisemitism in the first six months of 2022, with 30 incidents reported, out of a total of 104 across Greater Manchester.

The incident report from the Community Security Trust (CST) detailed 47 reports to Greater Manchester Police across Bury, Stockport, Trafford and the City of Manchester. 

Yossi Cohen, a member of Salford Jewish Society, said the threat of antisemitism had caused some people to conceal their faith, although he played down the overall seriousness of the problem locally.

He said: “I don’t think it is very serious. From my own experience I’ve not really had anything major. It is quite common to hear odd shouts but I’ve never experienced anything more than that really.

“Having spoken to other students, many students won’t openly admit their Jewish identity. They’ll sort of hide their Jewish identity unless they are really friendly or really trust someone.

“For some reason there is a feeling of unsafety. I don’t know if it’s because the students I’ve experienced have had bad experiences.” 

Almost 29 per cent of reported incidents of antisemitism in Greater Manchester took place in Salford, which is home to a large Jewish community.  

He continued: “We did have one experience on campus when a Rabbi came on and a student shouted out ‘Jew’ to him, so that was quite bad. I think it’s the worst I have seen.”

Nationally, the CST revealed that more than 100 antisemitic incidents were recorded in each month from January to June 2022, a number still described as “significant” despite a fall compared to the previous three years. 

Cohen also called for more understanding of the Israel-Palestine conflict, with a direct correlation between antisemitism and an escalation of tensions. 

He said: “Whenever there is any escalation between Israel and Palestine there is a rise in antisemitism. People just connect the two for some reason.

“I think maybe more education and knowledge on the Israel-Palestine conflict (is needed) as I think that is probably one of the greatest contributors to antisemitism.”