Jewish News Today: ISIS Knife Attack on Israeli Embassy in Belgrade, UK Antisemitism Crackdown Demands, and Coalition Chaos After Israel's Election Deadlock

An Islamic State-linked attacker was shot dead by police outside the Israeli Embassy in Belgrade after stabbing a guard, Serbian authorities confirmed, as the diplomatic fallout from Israel's inconclusive election continues to reverberate across the Jewish world. Meanwhile, British Jewish organisations are pressing the government on multiple fronts — from classifying anti-Zionism as extremism to banning a rapper from entering the country — while Germany's Central Council of Jews has sounded the alarm over a potential antisemitic incident on Halloween.

ISIS Attacker Killed at Israeli Embassy in Belgrade

Serbian interior authorities described the overnight incident outside the Israeli Embassy in Belgrade as a "terrorist attack," according to the Jewish Chronicle. A knife-wielding assailant attacked a police officer guarding the embassy before being shot dead. Serbian authorities raised the country's national threat level following the attack. The Forward, citing JTA, reported the same incident, noting that the attacker was armed with knives. The Jewish Chronicle identified the attacker as having links to Islamic State. No further details about the attacker's identity were provided by the sources.

Israel Election Aftermath: Counting Continues, Coalition Talks Begin

Following Tuesday's inconclusive Israeli election — in which neither Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc nor the opposition led by Gadi Eisenkot secured a clear governing majority — counting of the so-called "double envelope" special votes has now begun, according to the Jüdische Allgemeine. The outlet reported that these ballots could still shift the seat distribution in the Knesset. Israeli President Isaac Herzog has publicly appealed to political leaders to avoid forcing a new election, the Jüdische Allgemeine reported separately, adding that Herzog wants to prevent the country from going back to the polls. Both Netanyahu and Eisenkot have begun reaching out to potential coalition partners, according to the same outlet.

Arab parties performed strongly in the election, JNS reported, raising questions about whether they could prove decisive in determining which bloc forms the next government. Progressive American Jewish leaders are urging Israel's opposition parties to set aside campaign promises and partner with Arab parties to oust Netanyahu, the Forward reported. JNS identified three broad scenarios for resolving the deadlock: a unity government, defections from one bloc to another, or a further election. The EU said it hoped for close cooperation with whichever government emerges, the Jüdische Allgemeine reported.

Israel's elections chief has ordered the Shin Bet domestic security service to investigate allegations of foreign interference in the vote, JNS reported. The letter does not name a foreign actor, but Israel's Channel 12 News, as cited by JNS, reported that suspicions centre on Qatar.

UK: Peers Seek to Bar Macklemore, B'nai B'rith Calls Anti-Zionism 'Extremist'

Fifty members of the House of Lords have written to the Home Secretary urging the government to ban American rapper Macklemore from entering the United Kingdom ahead of a planned Wembley concert, the Jewish Chronicle reported. The peers' letter cited the rapper's decision to donate tour profits to pro-Palestine groups, including one that the Chronicle said had justified the October 7 hostage-taking. The letter is the latest sign of pressure from parliamentarians on the government over events deemed hostile to the Jewish community.

Separately, B'nai B'rith UK has published a report calling on the British government to classify anti-Zionism as an "extremist ideology," the Jewish Chronicle reported. The report also recommended a permanent ban on London's annual al-Quds Day march, restrictions on protests near Jewish sites, and the proscription of the Muslim Brotherhood under terrorism legislation.

In a further development with direct implications for the Jewish community, hate crimes against Jews are being recorded as "antisemitic" by Crown Prosecution Service prosecutors for the first time, the Jewish Chronicle reported. Former attorney general Sir Michael Ellis welcomed the change, telling the Chronicle: "Collecting this data is a vital tool for the CPS to recognise where it is failing."

The Jewish Chronicle and Jewish News published a joint editorial arguing that next week's Supreme Court hearing on the proscription of Palestine Action is "critical not only for the Jewish community but all of Britain," warning that reversing the ban would "embolden enemies of UK and imperil national security." The Jewish Leadership Council chair also called for the Palestine Action ban to remain in place, arguing that violent attacks on "Zionist" targets are not legitimate protest.

Former BBC Staff Demand Inquiry After Antisemitism Allegations

Former BBC staff have called for an independent inquiry into the broadcaster following allegations of antisemitism made by Oscar-winning producer Lucie Kon, the Jewish Chronicle reported. Kon has said she was "forced out" of the BBC after attempting to tackle what she described as antisemitism within the organisation. The calls for an inquiry add institutional weight to Kon's individual complaint.

Germany: Central Council Warns of Halloween Antisemitism Risk

The Central Council of Jews in Germany has warned of a possible escalation of antisemitic violence on 31 October, the Jüdische Allgemeine reported. In a written statement, the Council described an "elevated threat level" around protests already announced for Halloween. The warning comes amid an ongoing dispute in Berlin over Linke party politician Vanessa Emde, who is known for antisemitic statements. Central Council president Josef Schuster sharply criticised the Berlin Linke after the party again declined to expel Emde from its parliamentary group, the Jüdische Allgemeine reported. The dispute is expected to continue, with no quick resolution in sight, according to the same outlet.

Israel Begged UK to Wait on Palestine Recognition, JC Reveals

Israeli officials asked the British government to delay its recognition of a Palestinian state until hostages held in Gaza were freed, but London proceeded regardless, the Jewish Chronicle reported, citing Jerusalem officials who spoke to the paper directly. The revelation adds detail to a diplomatic rupture that has strained UK-Israel relations.

Chicago Budget Cites Jews as Target of 81% of Religion-Based Hate Crimes

Chicago's 2027 budget proposal includes a section touting city efforts to combat antisemitism, after city data showed that Jews — who JNS reported make up an estimated 3.8% of Chicago's population — were the targets of 81% of religion-based hate crimes in the city this year. JNS reported the figures as part of coverage of the budget proposal.

Historic Yeshiva in Belarus Reopens for Students

A historic Jewish yeshiva in Belarus has reopened for students for the first time since the Second World War, the Forward reported. Canadian rabbi Dovid Hofstedter discovered the school had been repurposed during a visit five years ago, according to the Forward and JTA, and has now overseen its revival as a place of Jewish learning.

Sydney Chanukah Attack: Prosecutors Seek More Time

Prosecutors in Australia have asked for more time in the case against Naveed Akram, who faces 78 charges following the Chanukah attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney that killed 15 people, the Jewish Chronicle reported.

Gal Gadot to Return to Israel Amid Rising Antisemitism

Actor Gal Gadot has revealed plans to move back to Israel, citing rising antisemitism, the Jewish Chronicle reported. Gadot also disclosed that she had taken to wearing a face mask in public in the United States because of anti-Zionist protests.

NIF UK Posts Record Fundraising Year

The New Israel Fund UK raised £6.7 million in 2025, its largest fundraising total on record, the Jewish Chronicle reported. The charity said donors had responded to events in Israel by increasing their financial commitment.

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