Headlines

UK Police Arrest Two in Suspected Plot Targeting Jewish Community
UT Austin Faces Campus Safety Concerns Over Streamer Piker; Denver School Board VP Accused of Antisemitism
Israel Warns of 'Existential Threat' in Berlin Post-Election; CT Candidate Faces Calls to Withdraw

🎧 Click Here to Listen & Subscribe

Transcript

You're listening to Antisemitism Watch, I'm Rachel Adler.

Counter-terrorism police in the UK said they arrested two men in central Manchester as part of a proactive investigation into a suspected terrorist plot targeting the Jewish community in northern England. The arrests were made on Sunday, just ahead of the High Holy Day period, including Yom Kippur. Vicki Evans, Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, stated that while detectives do not believe there is an ongoing threat, police have stepped up security operations in the area. The Community Security Trust described the alleged plot as "utterly chilling," particularly noting its timing close to the anniversary of a deadly synagogue attack in Manchester last year. Police are continuing their inquiries, with the men held in custody.

At the University of Texas at Austin, a planned speech by Twitch streamer Hasan Piker is raising concerns that Jewish students will feel unsafe and unwelcome, particularly as it falls during the Sukkot holiday. According to the AJC, Piker has used his platform to amplify antisemitic tropes, deny Hamas atrocities, and victim-blame Jewish individuals targeted by antisemitism. The AJC notes that such events contribute to an environment where nearly 30% of Jewish college students report feeling unsafe on campus, and one-third avoid displaying symbols of their Jewish identity.

In Denver, school board vice president Monica Hunter faces accusations of antisemitism. Reporting indicates she is alleged to have questioned a Jewish colleague, Amy Klein Molk, about her support for Israel, asking how Jewish people could be "OK with the killing of innocent babies." Klein Molk reported that Hunter stated she could not support Israel or Jewish people who support its existence. Hunter denies the specific slur but did not dispute the substance of the conversation, framing it as a private discussion. This exchange has drawn criticism for invoking classic antisemitic tropes. The school board has launched an independent investigation.

In Germany, Israel's ambassador to Berlin has warned that the city's Jewish community faces an "immediate existential threat" following the victory of the far-left party Die Linke in the state election. This warning escalates concerns previously raised by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz regarding the party's record on antisemitism. While Die Linke's lead candidate, Elif Eralp, has rejected allegations of antisemitism and presented a plan to protect Jewish life, the issue has become central to coalition discussions, Haaretz reported. A historian described the debate as "overblown" but noted the significant focus on the party is linked to the Gaza war.

In Connecticut, Democratic leaders, including House Speaker Matt Ritter, are calling for state's 8th District candidate William Gifford to withdraw from the race. Gifford, a journalism student and Turning Point USA leader, posted an Instagram interview with Christian nationalist Joshua Haymes, who stated that Judaism is "evil" and leads people to hell. While Gifford initially nodded during Haymes's statement, he later claimed he disagreed with the views and rejected antisemitism, adding a disclaimer that Haymes's words were hateful and false. Governor Ned Lamont's office has also called for his withdrawal, stating hate and antisemitism have no place in public service. Gifford has refused to withdraw or apologize.

In Providence, Rhode Island, the election of David Morales as mayor, a democratic socialist with pro-Palestine stances, has prompted fears within the local Jewish community amid rising antisemitic incidents regionally. Morales has focused his criticism on the Israeli government and US support. Community members, including Rabbi Sarah Mack, have noted feeling "politically homeless."

Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation reports that Russia-controlled TikTok networks circulated AI-generated fake videos during and after the recent Rosh Hashanah pilgrimage to Uman, Ukraine. The fabricated videos falsely claim that Jewish pilgrims are being paid by the Ukrainian government for permanent settlement, receive special benefits, and plan to make Uman an independent entity. The CCD calls this campaign "entirely disinformation" aimed at destabilizing Ukrainian society and artificially provoking antisemitic sentiments.

I'm Rachel Adler, thank you for listening to Antisemitism Watch.

Follow Antisemitism Watch in your podcast app so you don’t miss the next update.
This report was generated with AI assistance and may contain inaccuracies. Please verify important details with primary sources.

🎧 Click Here to Listen & Subscribe

Sources:
- Algemeiner: https://www.algemeiner.com/2026/09/22/uk-police-say-they-thwarted-plot-attack-jewish-community/
- perspectivemedia.com: https://www.perspectivemedia.com/two-men-arrested-over-suspected-terror-plot-targeting-jewish-community/
- newsnationnow.com: https://www.newsnationnow.com/world/uk-police-thwarted-attack-jewish-community-manchester-liverpool/
- ynetnews.com: https://www.ynetnews.com/jewish-world/article/h1fxcmxqfl
- AJC: https://www.ajc.org/news/ut-students-should-answer-hasan-pikers-hate-speech-with-more-speech
- denvergazette.com: https://www.denvergazette.com/2026/09/22/dps-hunter-must-step-down-over-antisemitism-jimmy-sengenberger/
- ndtv.com: https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/zohran-mamdani-calls-israel-prime-minister-netanyahu-genocide-architect-then-a-hamas-supporter-reply-12082885
- yahoo.com: https://www.yahoo.com/news/world/articles/debate-anti-semitism-berlins-left-151828273.html
- courant.com: https://www.courant.com/2026/09/22/hold-top-democratic-leaders-calling-for-candidate-to-withdraw-from-race-saying-he-is-promoting-hateful-ideology/
- bostonglobe.com: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/09/22/metro/providence-mayor-morales-smiley-jewish-community-palestine/
- ctmirror.org: https://ctmirror.org/2026/09/22/ritter-post-by-gop-student-running-for-ct-house-is-antisemitic/
- jpost.com: https://www.jpost.com/international/internationalrussia-ukraine-war/article-909326
- israelhayom.com: https://www.israelhayom.com/tag/germany-antisemitism/
- arcmag.org: https://arcmag.org/the-irresponsible-magid/
- haaretz.com: https://www.haaretz.com/world-news/europe/2026-09-22/ty-article/israeli-envoy-immediate-existential-threat-to-berlin-jews-after-far-left-win/000001a0-c84a-d568-a7fb-cece1f0f0000