Wales logs 17 anti-Jewish crimes despite tiny population

The number of Jews in Wales is so small that their presence in daily life is barely noticeable, yet Professor Nathan Abrams of Bangor University argues that this absence has not reduced antisemitic attitudes. Instead, he contends that the hostility remains strong because the Jewish population is scarce. Abrams, who has lived in Wales for twenty years and speaks the local language fluently, recently published a book titled "Jews in the Welsh Imagination: Medieval Times to the Present," which examines how the nation has viewed Jews for centuries.

According to the 2021 UK Census, 2,044 people in Wales identified as Jewish by religion. This figure represents approximately 0.07 percent of the national population of 3.1 million. The community is concentrated primarily in Cardiff, which hosts both a Reform and an Orthodox synagogue. A Chabad synagogue serves the town of Llandudno, while smaller groups and individual Jews reside in other cities.

Recent policing data reveals a rise in specific incidents. A Freedom of Information request to Dyfed-Powys Police showed that the force recorded 17 crimes classified as anti-Jewish in 2025. This number is up from 12 in 2024, marking an increase of about 42 percent. These figures apply only to the Dyfed-Powys area and may not capture every offense recorded under other categories. The UK's Community Security Trust separately logged 25 antisemitic incidents in Wales during 2025, with 13 occurring in North Wales and 8 in South Wales.

Jewish community representatives recently met with the Welsh Local Government Association to discuss the issue. During the meeting, representatives described growing anxiety, including routine verbal abuse and concerns about children in schools. Some people are changing their behavior to avoid identifying as Jewish in public. The South Wales Jewish Representative Council stated that while the community is resilient, the recent rise in antisemitism has left many people shaken and concerned.

Abrams attributes much of the tension to the Israel-Palestine conflict. He notes that antisemitism in Wales often coalesces around this issue, creating an "ambient" hostility that makes Jews uncomfortable even if physical attacks are rare. He observes that the local nationalist political party, Plaid Cymru, has taken a critical stance on Israel, which influences the broader public mood. Abrams describes the local antisemitism as an obsession with Israel, often expressed by people who do not realize they are repeating historical tropes.

He points out a class divide in how the issue is perceived. Working-class residents often do not follow the conflict closely, while middle-class protesters and academics frequently express views that cross into antisemitism. Abrams concludes that Welsh society is generally polite, so much of the hostility is not expressed directly to Jews but is visible in social media and public demonstrations. He states that the complexity of Jewishness continues to be reduced to the Middle East conflict in the eyes of many residents.