Anti-Muslim hate incidents in Britain TRIPLE since Hamas’ assault on Israel – with women bearing the brunt of racist attacks, watchdog reports

Anti-Muslim hate incidents have more than tripled in the UK since the Hamas terror attacks in Israel on October 7, with British Muslim women bearing the brunt of racist attacks.

Islamophobia watchdog Tell MAMA recorded 2,010 cases of possible hate crimes against Muslims since Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, in Israel four months ago – 335 per cent of those compared to the same time a year ago.

Cases recorded included graffitiing the word ‘Hamas’ on the front door of a Muslim family, Nazi swastikas being painted on cars and death threats made to worshippers at a mosque in Darlington.

Of the 535 cases of abusive behaviour recorded – which includes threats, vandalism and assaults – British Muslim women were the target of 65 per cent of the attacks. 

Figures from the Home Office compiled by the Mail also show that Muslims have suffered the highest number of hate crimes seven years in a row – making up 44 per cent of incidents targeted at any religious group.

The rise in anti-Muslim hate crime has been linked to Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel  (pictured: a pro-Palestinian protester)

Tell MAMA says emotions are running high in Muslim and Jewish communities following the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict – calling both Islamophobia and anti-semitism ‘unacceptable’

Conservative MP Paul Bristow said people in his Peterborough constituency were worried about the rise in Islamophobia

Community Safety Trust figures also show huge spikes in antisemitic incidents following the October 7 attacks in Israel

Last night Conservative MPs called on the government to do more to clamp down on anti-Muslim hatred.

Former minister Paul Bristow said: ‘There has been a sharp rise in Islamophobia across the country in recent months, and I know first-hand from speaking to my constituents in Peterborough how worried they are about these rises.

‘What has taken me back is just how blatant Islamophobia can be without being called out.

‘I have spoken to many British Muslims who want to see the bloodshed in Gaza end, but fear speaking up on issue could lead to anti-Muslim attacks. This should never be the case.’

Mark Eastwood, Tory MP and member of the APPG for British Muslims, said: ‘The government and all in society should do more to fend off Islamophobia and attacks on people for what they believe.

‘Muslims in my constituency in Bolton have contributed so much to the wider town and region – they should be praised for this contribution not persecuted.’

Just over half of the cases recorded since October 7 included online hatred, such as threatening British Muslims in a future ‘civil war’ or being told to ‘f*** off to a Muslim country’.

One now-banned account on X, formerly Twitter, asked users who would win in an ‘upcoming civil war in Britain’, giving them the option of ‘British’ or ‘Muslim’ people. 

Tell MAMA said said in the same timescale last year, only 600 total incidents were recorded – less than a third that were reported in the last four months.

The shocking figures come just a week after a Jewish security charity revealed anti-Semitic incidents in the UK reached a record high in 2023 – reflecting the division that the conflict in the Middle East has caused. 

The Community Security Trust recorded 4,103 incidents of anti-Jewish hatred in  2023 up from 1,662 the year before.

The figures include 266 violent assaults, up 96 per cent year-on-year and at least one antisemitic incident for every police force in the UK for the first time on record.

Iman Atta, director of Tell MAMA, is ‘deeply concerned’ at the rise in both Islamophobia and antisemitism since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.

She said: ‘We are deeply concerned about the impacts that the Israel and Gaza war are having on hate crimes and on social cohesion in the UK. 

‘Hate crimes against British Muslims have substantially risen and our data clearly demonstrates this. 

‘This rise in anti-Muslim hate is unacceptable and we hope that political leaders speak out to send a clear message that anti-Muslim hate, like antisemitism, is unacceptable in our country. 

‘There really is no space for hate and more than ever, it is essential that we sustain, nurture and protect the bonds that we have between communities, so that we all feel valued and safe in our communities and in our country.’

Last year 3,400 offences against Muslims were recorded by police, according to the Home Office. The level has remained steady since 2017, prompting accusations that ministers have not done enough to address the issue.

Anisa Mahmood, Director of the Anti-Islamophobia Working Group, said: ‘It is beyond any logic as to why the government hasn’t taken any action against Islamophobia despite these staggering figures. He has a duty to safeguard all communities regardless of their background and faith.’

A UK Government spokesperson told BBC News there was ‘no place for hate’ in British society, adding: ‘We expect the police to fully investigate all hate crimes and work with the CPS to make sure the cowards who commit these abhorrent offences feel the full force of the law.’