The UK government is set to introduce legislation that will impose a maximum of 14 years in prison for offenders who commit antisemitic attacks backed by foreign powers such as Iran. The measure will be included in the King's Speech next week, granting Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood the authority to designate proxy groups as foreign intelligence services under the National Security Act.
New Powers to Target Proxy Groups
Under the new law, individuals carrying out activities on behalf of designated proxy groups will face severe penalties, even if they are unaware of the group's foreign backing. This move aims to address the growing threat of foreign proxies recruiting criminals via social media to conduct acts of terrorism, sabotage, and espionage.
The number of national security cases involving hostile states operating in the UK has surged by 50% in six months, according to the head of counter-terrorism policing. The legislation, first reported by the Times, follows the Metropolitan Police's announcement of a community protection team of 100 extra officers to safeguard the Jewish community, with an additional 300 officers needed to combat rising antisemitism.
Proscription-Like Powers for the Home Secretary
The new laws will grant proscription-like powers to ban state groups such as Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), fulfilling a Labour pledge made three years ago. Police and prosecutors will be able to investigate and prosecute individuals under Section 3 of the National Security Act 2023, which criminalizes conduct likely to assist a foreign intelligence service.
The emergence of proxy groups acting on behalf of Iran and Russia has exposed gaps in Britain's national security laws. The legislation will allow the home secretary to designate groups like the Iranian-linked Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, which has claimed responsibility for multiple antisemitic attacks against Jewish communities.
Government Response to Rising Antisemitism
Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that Iran's attempts to "foment violence, hatred or division" in British society will not be tolerated, directly blaming Tehran for recent attacks on the Jewish community. He convened a meeting of police, prosecutors, NHS, trade unions, universities, and community groups to address soaring antisemitism.
Following the meeting, the Crown Prosecution Service issued guidance to fast-track hate crime cases. Since late March, there have been several arson attacks at Jewish sites in London and a double stabbing in Golders Green treated as terrorism. Counter-terrorism police are investigating a suspected arson at a former synagogue in Whitechapel.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson noted that British Jews now appear on hate lists of every major extremist movement, including far-right groups, Islamist terrorists, far-left elements, and hostile state actors. The force emphasized that hate crime in all forms remains a core policing priority.
The Home Office confirmed that legislation is being fast-tracked to ban state-backed organizations posing a national security threat, including sanctioning the IRGC in its entirety and freezing UK property of over 550 Iranian individuals and entities.
