The recent arson attack on four ambulances run by a Jewish charity in London is more than a shocking act of violence; it is a symptom of a disturbing and growing trend in Britain and across Europe. According to figures compiled last year, the UK alone witnessed more than 3,700 antisemitic incidents, including assaults on visibly Jewish individuals and attacks on public institutions, such as a Manchester synagogue in October. Similar patterns of hostility have emerged in France, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands, all following the October 7, 2023, terrorist assault on Israel.
Tony Blair, writing in the Times UK, argues that the repeated condemnations by political leaders, while sincere, have failed to curb the rising tide of antisemitism. Jewish communities, he notes, are increasingly fearful, with some choosing to leave the countries in which they were born and raised. Blair emphasizes that the problem is not simply isolated violence but a climate in which antisemitism is tacitly tolerated, and even implicitly encouraged in certain corners of western politics.
“This small but significant community, which contributes disproportionately in terms of philanthropy and social engagement, is being targeted in a way that would provoke far more decisive action in other contexts,” Blair writes. The historical persistence of antisemitism, he adds, is now taking a modern form that transcends traditional political divides, appearing both on the far right and within segments of the left.
Blair’s critique of the left is pointed: in its opposition to Israel, some left-wing factions have formed what he calls an “unholy alliance” with Islamist groups, framing the Jewish community as proxies for the Israeli government. While he acknowledges the legitimacy of criticizing government policy in Israel, Blair warns that such criticism often becomes a cover for antisemitic sentiment.
He underscores the importance of context in discussing the war in Gaza. The human suffering there is undeniable, and many Jews worldwide, he notes, critique Israeli tactics. But Blair stresses that valid criticism cannot ignore the threat posed to Israel by Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, and other groups that reject Israel’s right to exist. Nor can it neglect the reasoning behind Israeli security measures, including restrictions on materials entering Gaza that could be used for building terrorist infrastructure.
Blair also condemns the misuse of historical memory in debates over Israel’s actions. He warns against comparing Israeli military conduct to the Holocaust, arguing that such analogies diminish the historical reality of genocide while unfairly targeting Jewish sensitivities. He asserts that a genuine path to peace would require Hamas to release hostages, withdraw from Gaza, and commit to negotiation rather than violence—steps often overlooked in public discourse.
The former British prime minister highlights the dangers of political inaction. Progressive politicians, he contends, are often constrained by pressure from party activists and segments of the Muslim community. Their reluctance to confront the intersection of left-wing politics and Islamist ideology allows antisemitism to flourish, even when it is not explicitly condoned. Blair cites a poll showing that during the Gaza war, only 24 percent of British Muslims accepted the facts of the October 7 attacks, with some believing it was part of an elaborate Israeli plot—a mindset he describes as “frankly unacceptable.”
For Blair, the stakes extend beyond defending Israel. “It’s about defending reason. Defending facts. Standing up to the noise and intimidation to assert the truth,” he writes. He stresses that opposition to antisemitism is compatible with advocating for a Palestinian state or criticizing specific Israeli policies, particularly those involving far-right elements of the Israeli government. But such advocacy must not come at the cost of tolerating antisemitic ideology.
The ambulance attack in London serves as a chilling illustration of these dynamics. CCTV footage showed three men approaching the vehicles before setting them ablaze, a violent act that Blair argues is part of a broader pattern of antisemitic targeting. He warns that without confronting the ideologies fueling such attacks, society risks normalizing violence against Jewish communities.
Blair’s commentary resonates with wider European concerns. Following the surge in antisemitic attacks, Jewish organizations across the continent have repeatedly called for stronger legal protections and dedicated prosecutorial units. Yet, as Blair notes, legislative and political responses have often lagged behind the reality on the ground, leaving communities vulnerable to intimidation, harassment, and violence.
Ultimately, Blair’s warning is stark: the alliance between parts of the left and Islamist groups in Europe has created a permissive environment for antisemitism to grow. Combating this trend, he argues, requires courage from political leaders, clear communication of facts, and a firm rejection of ideology that targets Jewish people under the guise of political critique. In his view, failure to act not only endangers Jewish communities but also undermines the broader principles of reason, truth, and justice in democratic societies.
As Britain and Europe grapple with this challenge, Blair insists that the moral responsibility is clear. Societies must confront antisemitism openly, challenge the ideologies that sustain it, and ensure that communities targeted for their identity feel safe and protected. The alternative, he warns, is a continuation of violence and fear that would shame any society claiming to uphold the values of civility and human rights.
