After British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced additional funding support aimed at enhancing protection for the country's Jewish communities against antisemitic attacks, a number of Jewish schools in London informed parents that they would remain closed on Friday due to security concerns amid the conflict in Israel.
Three schools in the Barnet region of north London—Menorah High School, Torah Vodaas Primary School, and Ateres Beis Yaakov—sent letters to parents on Thursday. A fourth school is also believed to be closed because of concerns about nearby anti-Israel demonstrations.
While there was "no specific threat to our school," according to the letter from Rabbi Feldman of Torah Vodaas, "not a decision that has been taken lightly."
"CST's advice to Jewish schools remains that Jewish life should continue and schools should remain open as normal," said a representative of the charity Community Security Trust, since the crisis in Israel erupted four days ago, 139 anti-Semitic incidents have been reported.
"All Jewish schools have security guards that are paid for by the government, which has today pledged a further GBP 3 million towards the cost of security guarding in addition to the measures that are already in place," the spokesperson said.
With the additional funding that Sunak disclosed on Thursday, the total budget for the Jewish Community Protection Security grant for 2023–2024 will be GBP 18 million.
"At moments like this, when the Jewish people are under attack in their homeland, Jewish people everywhere can feel less safe. That is why we must do everything in our power to protect Jewish people everywhere in our country. If anything is standing in the way of keeping the Jewish community safe, we will fix it. You have our complete backing," said Sunak, as he pledged that the UK would stand in solidarity with Israel.
Soon after, the British Indian leader announced intentions to provide Israel with military assistance, notably by sending two Royal Navy ships and surveillance aircraft to the eastern Mediterranean, to "reinforce regional stability and prevent escalation".
"We must be unequivocal in making sure the types of horrific scenes we have seen this week will not be repeated. Alongside our allies, the deployment of our world-class military will support efforts to ensure regional stability and prevent further escalation," said Sunak.
Rishi confirmed that the UK had authorised the sending of a sizable support package to the region, including Royal Air Force (RAF) surveillance aircraft, Royal Navy ships, three Merlin helicopters, and a detachment of Royal Marines, in a phone call with Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday evening.
"He [Sunak] reiterated that the UK stands side by side with Israel in fighting terror and agreed that Hamas can never again be able to perpetrate atrocities against the Israeli people. Noting that Hamas has enmeshed itself in the civilian population in Gaza, the Prime Minister said it was important to take all possible measures to protect ordinary Palestinians and facilitate humanitarian aid," a Downing Street spokesperson said in a readout of the call.
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