Duke of Sussex warns of “deeply troubling” rise in antisemitism

The Duke of Sussex has warned of the “deeply troubling” rise in antisemitism in an article written for The New Statesman.

The article is called “My fears for a divided kingdom.”

Recently, there has been a rise in attacks on synagogues and other Jewish sites.

The Duked acknowledge the importance of “legitimate protest”, but people must be more “clear” about where to aim their anger because “onus falls squarely on the state – not an entire people”.

He added, “Nothing, whether criticism of a government or the reality of violence and destruction, can ever justify hostility toward an entire people or faith. We have seen how legitimate protest against state actions in the Middle East does exist alongside hostility toward Jewish communities at home – just as we have also seen how criticism of those actions can be too easily dismissed or mischaracterised.”

He said, “Hatred directed at people for who they are, or what they believe, is not protest. It is prejudice”.

The Duke said he felt the need to speak out. “We cannot ignore a difficult truth: when states act without accountability, and in ways that raise serious questions under international humanitarian law – criticism is both legitimate, necessary and essential in any democracy,” the Duke wrote.

As he appealed for “unity”, he called on people to confront antisemitism and anti-Muslim hate. “When anger is turned towards communities – whether Jewish, Muslim, or any other – it ceases to be a call for justice and becomes something far more corrosive,” he wrote.