A powerful message amid a 'disgraceful' surge of hate

Anti-Semitic incidents have increased 96 per cent in Greater Manchester. In the first six months of this year, there were 268, compared to 137 during the same January to June period in 2023.

A report published today says the region has the second-highest level incidents in the country after Greater London. Nationally, the number of incidents has risen by 105pc to 1,978 from 964.

In Greater Manchester, 92 incidents were in Manchester; 78 in Bury; 59 in Salford; 12 in Stockport; and nine in Trafford. Hate mail sent to organisations in Manchester blamed Jewish people for the war in the Middle East, comparing Israel to Nazis. A graphic leaflet found on a tram read: "Every single aspect of the Jewish Talmud is satanic."

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In two other incidents, Jewish schoolchildren were beaten up at a Manchester tram station and a woman was subjected to vile verbal abuse and a death threat in Bury.

CST bosses said the first of those incidents saw youngsters approached by boys from another school. One was called a 'Jewish c***' and was swung at, while another was headbutted. Another boy was punched.

In the other incident, a Jewish woman was walking when a man approached her, threatened her and made a sickening comment about her family and 'gas chambers'.

Also included in Greater Manchester's incidents are six that happened on the transport network and three online incidents. The report by the Community Security Trust (CST) reveals that nationally, there were 76 incidents targeting synagogues - including buildings, worshippers and staff.

"Never before has CST received so many cases of anti-Jewish hate targeting synagogues during the first