Leader of British Jews says anti-Semitism on the rise

Anti-Semitism has gained respectability for the first time in more than 50 years, the head of Britain's Jewish community warned yesterday.

Anti-Semitism has gained respectability for the first time in more than 50 years, the head of Britain's Jewish community warned yesterday.

New figures show that reported attacks on Jews – both physical and verbal – have risen threefold in the wake of 11 September and the worsening violence in Israel and the West Bank.

Representatives of Britain's Jews fear that "polite society" is embracing anti-Semitism and making it appear acceptable. It is being nurtured, they say, around the dinner tables of London's "chattering classes" where Jew- and Israel-bashing has, according to some, become de rigueur.

Jo Wagerman, the president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said: "Anti-Semitism is raising its head again. It has become acceptable for the first time in 50 years. People who have a respectable veneer can express these views in public and now get support rather than condemnation. I think much of what is expressed is anti-Zionist in content but within that is a very strong anti-Semitic element."

She described the new anti-Semitism as a "great, great tragedy" which was "spreading" through universities and schools. Her comments follow the reporting of the French ambassador in London and a leading London socialite for alleged anti-Semitism. It is significant that their alleged remarks were made in the dining salons of the capital.

Daniel Bernard, the French ambassador, was accused of describing Israel as "that shitty little country" and asking: "Why should we be in danger of World War Three because of these people?"

The accusations stemmed from a column in The Daily Telegraph by Barbara Amiel, the wife of the paper's proprietor, Lord Black. They prompted a letter from Carla Powell, the wife of Lady Thatcher's former private secretary, now Lord Powell, to the Telegraph denying that the comments referred to her.

Since 11 September, 120 attacks on Jews have been reported in the UK, three times the usual figure for a three-month period.