Israel-Hamas: UK redefines extremism after rise in hate crimes against Jews, Muslims

The United Kingdom has unveiled a new definition of extremism following a surge in hate crimes against Jews and Muslims, since Hamas invaded Israel on October 7, 2023. 

The UK said although extremism has been on the rise for many years, the aftermath of the terrorist attacks underlined the need for further action.

“Islamist and Neo-Nazi groups in Britain, some of which have not been proscribed, are operating lawfully but are seeking to replace our democracy with an Islamist and Nazi society respectively,” the government said in a statement.

“They are actively radicalising others and are openly advocating for the erosion of our fundamental democratic rights. Their aim is to subvert our democracy.”

The UK listed behaviours that could constitute its new definition of extremism as behaviour against a group, or members of it, that seeks to negate or destroy their rights to live equally under the law and free of fear, threat, violence, and discrimination;

And attempts to undermine, overturn, or replace the UK’s system of liberal parliamentary democracy and democratic rights; and intentionally creating a permissive environment for behaviours in the aforementioned examples.

“This definition is not intended to capture, for example, political parties that aim to alter the UK’s constitutional makeup through democratic means, or protest groups which at times may cross into disruption but do not threaten our fundamental rights, freedoms, or democracy itself,” the statement added.

“Lawful expression of one’s beliefs, for example advocating for changes to the law by Parliament, exercising the right to protest, or expressing oneself in art, literature, and comedy, is not extremism.

“In investigating whether an individual, group, organisation or behaviour can be considered ‘extremist’, government has a responsibility to ensure fair and reasonable judgements are made, which are justified based on a careful consideration of the context, quality, and quantity of available evidence.

“Any action or ideology that may be extremist must be considered in its wider context, where possible drawing on a range of evidence, to assess whether it forms part of a wider pattern of behaviour and whether that pattern of behaviour has been conducted with the aim of promoting or advancing an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance.”

The UK said it has recorded 4,103 antisemitic incidents since October 7, 2023 — an increase of 147 percent compared to 2022 — and a 335 percent increase in anti-Muslim hate cases in the last four months.

Part of the measures taken will involve preventing identified extremist groups from government funding and from meeting officials.