Jewish News Today: BBC Admits Antisemitic Guest Failure, UK Greens Haemorrhage Members, and Islamist-Motivated Hate Crimes Hit Record in Germany

The BBC has admitted it made an error inviting an antisemitic guest onto one of its programmes, according to JNS, as a separate row over a Green Party motion equating Zionism with racism continues to fracture British politics. Meanwhile, Germany's Federal Criminal Police Office has recorded a record number of antisemitic offences motivated by Islamism, the Jüdische Allgemeine reports — a stark data point for Jewish communities across Europe as midterm elections in the United States bring Israel and antisemitism to the centre of several key races.

BBC Admits Failure Over Antisemitic Guest

The BBC has acknowledged it should not have invited a particular guest onto one of its shows, JNS reports, following controversy over the broadcaster's decision to platform individuals described as Hamas and Iranian regime apologists. JNS had previously reported that one guest, named as Bushra Shaikh, had written that Jews moving to Israel from Europe are "lying scumbags" and "the biggest charlatans on this planet." The corporation's admission of failure follows sustained criticism from Jewish groups and will be closely watched by British Jewish community organisations that have long raised concerns about the BBC's editorial standards on Israel-related coverage.

UK Greens Lose 18,000 Members Over 'Zionism Is Racism' Motion

The Green Party of England and Wales has lost 18,000 members in the wake of its controversial motion equating Zionism with racism, according to JNS. The scale of the exodus underlines the depth of the backlash the party has faced since the resolution passed. In Cornwall, the Jewish Chronicle reports that Newquay's Green mayor, Drew Creek, has quit the party over the motion, saying it "crossed a line." Creek will now sit as a Labour and Co-operative councillor on Cornwall Council. Separately, JNS reports that Edinburgh Council has condemned the Greens' anti-Zionist resolution, with Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat members uniting against the motion. The controversy is fracturing political alliances at both local and national level across the UK.

Israel Accuses Canada of Fuelling Antisemitism After Montreal Synagogue Attack

Following last week's attack on a Montreal synagogue — the second such incident in six months, as reported in yesterday's article — Israel has now formally accused Canada of fuelling antisemitism, according to JNS. The sources do not detail the specific diplomatic language used or whether Canada has responded to the accusation. The development signals a deterioration in Israel's relationship with Ottawa over the Canadian government's handling of antisemitic violence.

Germany: Islamist-Motivated Antisemitic Crimes at Record Level

Germany's Federal Criminal Police Office (Bundeskriminalamt) recorded 670 antisemitic offences with an Islamist background in 2025 — a six percent increase on the previous year and the highest figure ever registered, the Jüdische Allgemeine reports. The data represents a significant concern for Germany's Jewish community and for the broader Jewish diaspora in Europe, where the intersection of rising Islamism and antisemitism has been a persistent flashpoint. The Jüdische Allgemeine also carries a separate report on fear among Jewish students on German campuses, describing physical symptoms of anxiety — racing heart, shallow breathing, cold sweats — as a lived reality for young Jews in higher education.

Thailand: Chabad Houses Under Pressure After Rabbi's Citizenship Revoked

Protesters in Thailand are reportedly demanding the closure of Chabad Houses in the country following the revocation of citizenship belonging to Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kantor, who has led the Chabad-Lubavitch community there since 1993, JNS reports. The sources do not detail the grounds on which his citizenship was revoked. The situation poses a direct threat to the Jewish infrastructure serving both resident and travelling Jewish communities in Thailand.

London: Dozens Arrested at Anti-Israel Protest Outside US Embassy

Dozens of anti-Israel demonstrators were arrested outside the US Embassy in London, JNS reports. Organisers said they targeted the American mission because President Trump had "pushed the UK government to proscribe Palestine Action." The arrests add to a pattern of large-scale protest activity in the British capital that has at times created a hostile atmosphere for Jewish residents.

American Jews Feel 'Politically Homeless' as Midterms Approach

With US midterm elections imminent, JTA reports on a growing sense of political estrangement among American Jews, captured in the phrase "politically homeless" — heard, the outlet says, in essays, sermons and on the campaign trail. The phrase reflects a wider fracture within Jewish Democratic circles, as Israel and antisemitism have become central issues in several closely watched races.

In New York's 17th Congressional District, the Forward reports that candidates Mike Lawler and Cait Conley broadly agree on Israel policy but are competing over which of them Jewish voters can trust. In Michigan, a public rift has broken out between Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and his pro-Israel former primary rival Haley Stevens, with JTA and the Forward both reporting that the dispute — centred on El-Sayed's refusal to condemn an anti-Israel PAC advertisement — has put Michigan's Jewish community on edge. JNS separately reports that Israel's Christian envoy has warned against electing politicians with what he characterised as a Muslim Brotherhood worldview, citing allegations of ties between El-Sayed and the Islamist group. El-Sayed has not, according to the sources, responded to that characterisation. In Illinois, the Forward reports that BDS-related concerns are influencing local Jewish organising ahead of the vote, with a Jewish federation official convening community members — though journalists were barred from the meeting.

Israel's Coalition Talks Begin Amid Competing Conditions

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has begun formal coalition consultations with parties elected to the 26th Knesset, the Jüdische Allgemeine reports, after calling on party leaders to approach talks with "an open mind" following the conclusion of the election campaign. JNS reports that Prime Minister Netanyahu has warned against cooperation with Arab parties, calling such an arrangement a "disaster," while Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, has set out four principles that any coalition partner under his leadership would need to accept. Opposition figure Yair Golan has warned publicly, according to the Jüdische Allgemeine, against a new war with Iran under Netanyahu's leadership, arguing that Netanyahu lacks public trust. JNS analysis also raises the question of whether Israel can sustain multi-front military operations amid continuing political uncertainty.

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