The British government has decided to cover the cost of extra security for state-funded Jewish schools, according to the BBC. The cost of security comes to approximately 1.6 million euros ($2.1 million) annually.
Ministers voted to cover the cost of security in order to help students “feel safe.” Jewish schools often face particular threats, making the extra security more than a luxury, they determined.
The Community Security Trust, which monitors anti-Semitism in Britain, reported in February that anti-Semitism hit a new high in 2009 with 924 anti-Semitic incidents recorded, the most since the group began keeping records in 1984. Of the incidents, 124 involved physical assault.
The jump in anti-Semitism was linked in part to the Cast Lead counterterror operation in Gaza, which was cited in 23% of the complaints of anti-Semitism in Britain. Israel was widely condemned for Cast Lead as Hamas claimed massive civilian casualties; however, earlier this year Hamas admitted for the first time that, as Israel had argued from the beginning, most of those slain were Hamas members.
The CST will distribute government security funding, which will go to schools according to their need.
So far there is no British initiative to cover the cost of security for other faith schools as well. However, ministers said they will consider doing so. So far, no other religious schools have said they feel the need to bolster security.
All state schools get basic security funded by the government, such as fences and surveillance cameras.