Duke of Sussex concerned by 'deeply troubling' rise in UK antisemitism

The Duke of Sussex has expressed concern about a "deeply troubling" rise in antisemitism in the UK.

It follows a spate of violent incidents targeting Jewish communities, which has seen the terror threat level raised to "severe" for the first time in five years.

Writing in The New Statesman, Prince Harry referenced recent attacks against Jews in Manchester and London and called for people protesting about events in the Middle East to be more "clear" about where their anger is directed.

The stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green, north London, last month has brought renewed scrutiny – including from the government – of pro-Palestine marches.

Sir Keir Starmer has said the conduct of some people at the demonstrations constitutes "extreme racism".

He said police should prosecute anyone who chants "globalise the intifada".

"Intifada" means "uprising" in Arabic and refers to two Palestinian uprisings against Israel – first in the late 1980s and then the early 2000s. Thousands of people were killed, according to several estimates.

Prince Harry said while there is "deep and justified alarm" about the scale of death in Gaza and Lebanon, which have both faced bombardment from the Israeli military, "we have seen how legitimate protest against state actions in the Middle East does exist alongside hostility toward Jewish communities at home".

The duke, who does not mention Israel by name, added: "Nothing, whether criticism of a government or the reality of violence and destruction, can ever justify hostility toward an entire people or faith."

However, he also stressed the importance of "legitimate" criticism "when states act without accountability and in ways that raise serious questions under international humanitarian law".

Harry's choice of outfit got him into trouble in 2005 when he was seen wearing a mock Nazi Afrika Korps uniform at a "colonials and natives" fancy dress party.

He quickly apologised after being castigated by, among others, the leader of the then Conservative opposition Michael Howard and the Israeli foreign minister.

(c) Sky News 2026: Duke of Sussex concerned by 'deeply troubling' rise in UK antisemitism