Met Police launches major security operation ahead of Jewish holy days after Andy Burnham sanctioned Israeli West Bank settlers

The Met Police has launched a major security operation ahead of Jewish holy days after Andy Burnham sanctioned Israeli settlers in the West Bank.

The period of High Holy Days begins with Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, at sunset on Friday and ends on September 21 with Yom Kippur.

And senior Tories warned the timing of the Prime Minister's decision to impose sanctions on settlements posed a 'real risk of increased hatred against British Jews'.

Scotland Yard has responded by ramping up its security plans across London, carrying out more patrols and responding to reports of antisemitism - while working with other forces in the UK.

Dozens of additional plain-clothes officers will monitor the capital's streets with an increased police presence at synagogues.

Last year Islamist terrorist Jihad Al-Shamie killed two people in a car and knife attack at a synagogue in Manchester on Yom Kippur - the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

Two men – Melvin Cravitz, 66, and Adrian Daulby, 53 – were killed and three others injured when the Syrian-born Al-Shamie, who was a British citizen, drove into the gates of the building and launched a knife attack, on October 2. 

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: 'To prepare for the High Holy Days, the Metropolitan Police has worked closely with Jewish community leaders, and groups such as Shomrim and the Community Security Trust (CST) to develop a comprehensive policing plan.

Rabbi Daniel Walker pictured among armed officers as they talk with members of the Jewish community following an attack outside Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester in October 2025

Police Taser and detain a suspect after an attack in Golders Green in April

'A key element of this year's operation will be the work of the recently established Community Protection Team, which is dedicated to tackling anti-Semitism across north-west London.

'Officers from the team will be conducting high-visibility patrols, visiting synagogues and community venues and working alongside CST and Shomrim to provide an enhanced response to reports of anti-Semitic hate crime.'

Det Ch Supt Luke Williams, who leads policing in north-west London, said: 'We recognise the impact recent anti-Semitic incidents have had on communities and the concern they can cause. 

'We are committed to ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice and to providing a visible and effective policing presence throughout the High Holy Days.

'We have worked closely with our partners and community representatives to put in place a robust policing plan to help people celebrate and observe this important period safely and with confidence.

'If you see our officers while attending services or community events, please do speak to them about any concerns you may have. We are here to support you.'

A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: 'We welcome the authorities' commitment to reinforcing security for Jewish institutions over the High Holidays. 

'Last year, two Jewish people were killed in a terrorist attack in this period, so the need is obvious. 

'But we have yet to hear the Prime Minister articulate a theory of why antisemitism has surged over the past three years. Perhaps then the Government can present a plan for actually tackling it. 

'The Jewish community cannot be expected to live behind ever higher walls – which, as recent events have shown, are in any case no guarantee of safety. Safety can only come when the threat is confronted. 

'So far, no Government has shown the courage to do so.'

It comes after Ed Miliband on Tuesday unveiled controversial UK sanctions on 'illegal' West Bank settlements prompting backlash from Israel.

The Foreign Secretary lashed out at 'ethnic cleansing' by 'terrorists' in the disputed areas as he announced a package of measures banning imports.

There was an immediate storm of protest, with Israel declaring it will shut the British consulate in East Jerusalem that is accredited to the Palestinian Authority in response to the 'hostile' action.

A string of Left-wingers including Jeremy Corbyn and Diane Abbott have been banned from going to the country and Britain will be barred from participating in the US-led Gaza coordination mission.

Netanyahu administration ministers have also pledged to back Argentina's campaign to seize control of the Falklands in retribution.

Companies are set to be banned from helping construct or sell properties in the settlements, in a push being coordinated with 11 countries including France and Canada.

Britain's Chief Rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, lambasted the trade ban, describing it as 'gesture politics' which would 'further embolden those, at home and abroad, who use hatred as a weapon against Jews'.

He said: 'At a time when our community is more vulnerable than ever to the wave of extremism that has been building over recent years, these sanctions do nothing to advance the cause of peace. Nor do they make anyone safer – quite the contrary.' 

Miliband rejected Sir Ephraim's warnings that the sanctions marked a 'truly dark day for British Jews', retorting that he himself is a 'proud British Jew'.

'We all need to do more to tackle antisemitism,' Miliband told the BBC, 'but I believe we can do that and stand up for British values'.

Alicia Kearns, the shadow foreign minister, warned the decision threatened to spark 'increased hatred against British Jews who the Government owes a duty to keep safe'. 

Kemi Badenoch joined the condemnation, saying that Andy Burnham risked 'fanning the flames of anti-Semitism at home' in order to appease those deserting Labour for the Greens.

The Tory leader said the plan risked fracturing relations with a key ally, accusing the PM of 'throwing British interests under the bus to win back Islamist and far-Left activist votes'.

It comes after it was revealed in July that Britain had suffered from the largest increase in antisemitic incidents out of all major countries in the Jewish diaspora outside Israel, according to a new report.

Police officers asks members of the Jewish community to move away from a cordon in Golders Green after the attacks

Anti-Jewish attitudes are becoming 'more widespread', according to the study by the J7 Large Communities’ Task Force Against Antisemitism.

The group, which comprises organisations from across seven nations, told of its 'alarm about the deadly reality of antisemitism that Jewish communities worldwide confront at levels unprecedented since World War II'.

The organisation states: 'The picture that emerges from this report is both sobering and urgent.'

Researchers say antisemitic incidents 'remain at elevated levels' compared to before the Hamas terrorist attacks which targeted Israel and killed more than 1,200 people on October 7 2023 - though did fall in four J7 countries last year following 2024 peaks.