US President Barack Obama and UK Prime Minister David Cameron both took the opportunity to wish Jews around the world a happy Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashana) on Tuesday, a day before the holiday begins on Wednesday evening.

Obama in his video message spoke about the "miracle" of renewal, while noting "we've been reminded many times that our world still needs repair."

The US president added his pledge to "stand against the scourge of anti-Semitism," while touting an "unshakable alliance with the state of Israel."

For his part, Cameron praised "the immense contribution Jews make in Britain: excelling in every field, contributing in every community, and living by those values - of decency, tolerance, hard work and responsibility - that are so central to the Jewish faith and to British life."

Cameron also noted anti-Semitism, mentioning the need for "wiping out prejudice in this country, because we will not tolerate anti-Semitism in Britain. No disagreements on politics or policy can ever justify racism or extremism in any form."

Indeed, anti-Semitism in England spiked dramatically during the Gaza operation, rising by a whopping 400% in July as compared to the same month in the previous year.