Community Security Trust

The Community Security Trust (CST) is a British charity whose stated mission is to provide safety, security, and advice to the Jewish community in the UK. It provides advice, training, representation and research.

Founding and mission

The Community Security Trust grew out of the Community Security Organisation, which became independent of the Board of Deputies of British Jews in 1986.{{cite news|url=https://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/the-story-of-the-cst-jewish-community-protection-in-the-uk/|title=The story of the CST: Jewish community protection in the UK|date=7 April 2015|accessdate=6 February 2021|work=Jewish News}}{{cite news|url=https://www.thejc.com/comment/columnists/our-unrepresentative-security-1.68486?highlight=CST|title=Our unrepresentative security|last=Alderman|first=Geoffrey|date=18 April 2011|accessdate=6 February 2021|work=Jewish Chronicle}} It was registered as a charity in 1994 and has a mission to provide safety, security, and advice to the Jewish community in the UK.{{EW charity|1042391|Community Security Trust}}{{Cite news|date=2020-02-06|title=Anti-Semitic abuse at record high, says charity|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-51387844|access-date=2021-02-04}}{{Cite web|title=As social networks clamp down, antisemitism moves to the darknet|url=https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/as-social-networks-clamp-down-antisemitism-moves-to-the-darknet-656689|access-date=2021-02-04|website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Bulkacz|first=Vanessa|date=2006-07-13|title=U.K. Jews stress security year after bombings|url=http://jstandard.com/articles/1313/1/U.K.-Jews-stress-security-year-after-bombings|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061101164649/http://jstandard.com/articles/1313/1/U.K.-Jews-stress-security-year-after-bombings|archive-date=2006-11-01|access-date=|website=Jewish Standard}}{{Cite web |title=Memorandum from the Board of Deputies of British Jews |website=House of Commons - Select Committee on Foreign Affairs |date=2003 |url= https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200203/cmselect/cmfaff/405/405we13.htm}} The CST's mission statement says, "To work at all times for the physical protection of British Jews."{{Cite web|title=Even during the coronavirus pandemic, Jews are ever the scapegoat|url=https://www.jpost.com/opinion/even-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic-jews-are-ever-the-scapegoat-627982|access-date=2021-02-04|website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com|language=en-US}} The CST began recording antisemitic incidents in 1984.{{Cite web|author=Laura Smith-Spark|date=2018-08-17|title=Anti-Semitism is so bad in Britain that some Jews are planning to leave|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/17/uk/uk-anti-semitism-intl/index.html|access-date=2021-02-04|website=CNN Digital|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Home Secretary's speech to the Community Security Trust|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/home-secretarys-speech-to-the-community-security-trust|access-date=2021-02-04|website=GOV.UK|language=en}}{{Cite news|date=2015-02-05|title=UK anti-Semitism hit record level in 2014, report says|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-31140919|access-date=2021-02-04}}

Structure

The group's founding chairman is the British businessman and convicted criminal Gerald Ronson. He has a long standing relationship with Benjamin Netanyahu who placed him in his "Billionaire Club" and called him when he was in prison.{{Cite web |title=Wayback Machine |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2016-06-18/ty-article-magazine/.premium/benjamin-netanyahus-billionaires-club/0000017f-db8f-df62-a9ff-dfdf7bbd0000 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220914042650/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2016-06-18/ty-article-magazine/.premium/benjamin-netanyahus-billionaires-club/0000017f-db8f-df62-a9ff-dfdf7bbd0000 |archive-date=2022-09-14 |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=www.haaretz.com}}{{Cite web |last=Round |first=Simon |date=2009-06-04 |title=Interview: Gerald Ronson |url=https://www.thejc.com/life/interview-gerald-ronson-ee8nquqw |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=The Jewish Chronicle |language=en}}

The deputy chairman is Lloyd Dorfman.{{Cite web|last=Ronson|first=Gerald M|date=|title=CST represents all Jews|url=https://www.thejc.com/comment/opinion/cst-represents-all-jews-1.68589|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130175422/https://www.thejc.com/comment/opinion/cst-represents-all-jews-1.68589 |archive-date=2020-11-30 |access-date=2021-02-04|website=www.thejc.com}}{{Cite web|title=CST Annual Dinner 2016 – Blog – CST – Protecting Our Jewish Community|url=https://cst.org.uk/news/blog/2016/03/03/cst-annual-dinner-2016|access-date=2016-07-23|website=cst.org.uk}} The chief executive of the CST is Mark Gardner, who was previously the Director of Communications.{{Cite web|last=Harpin|first=Lee|date=|title=Mark Gardner is new chief executive of the Community Security Trust|url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/mark-gardner-is-new-community-security-trust-chief-executive-1.500701|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808072654/https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/mark-gardner-is-new-community-security-trust-chief-executive-1.500701 |archive-date=2020-08-08 |access-date=2021-02-04|website=www.thejc.com}} Dave Rich is the Director of Policy at CST.{{Cite web|title=CST's Leadership – CST – Protecting Our Jewish Community|url=https://cst.org.uk/about-cst/csts-leadership|access-date=2021-02-04|website=cst.org.uk}}

The CST has four offices,{{Cite web|title=General Enquiries – CST – Protecting Our Jewish Community|url=https://cst.org.uk/contact/general-enquiries|access-date=2021-02-04|website=cst.org.uk}} over 90 employees and a network of several thousand volunteers from all parts of the Jewish community, who work closely with the police, including for joint patrols, advisory, and training.{{Cite web|title=About CST|url=https://cst.org.uk/about-cst|access-date=2021-02-04|website=CST}}{{Cite web|title=Police Partnership|url=https://cst.org.uk/about-cst/police-partnership|access-date=2021-02-04|website=CST}}{{Cite web|title=CST|url=https://www.inach.net/cst/|website=INACH|access-date=2021-02-04|language=en-US}}

Activities

The CST provides security advice and training for Jewish schools, synagogues and communal organisations and gives assistance to those bodies that are affected by antisemitism. The CST also assists and supports individual members of the Jewish community who have been affected by antisemitism and antisemitic incidents. Included in its work countering antisemitism is monitoring criticism of Israel.{{Cite web |title=The UK's pro-Israel lobby in context |url=https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/opendemocracyuk/uks-pro-israel-lobby-in-context/ |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=openDemocracy |language=en}}

It advises and represents the Jewish community on matters of antisemitism, terrorism and security and works with police, government and international bodies. All this work is provided at no charge.

In 2012, the CST provided the model for a new anti-Islamophobia project, Tell MAMA{{cite web|url=http://www.tellmamauk.org|title=TELL MAMA - Countering Anti-Muslim Hate & Islamophobia, Bigotry & Prejudice. Founded by Fiyaz Mughal|website=TELL MAMA}} (run by interfaith organisation Faith Matters),{{Cite web |title=Speech Given by the Director of Faith Matters & the TELL MAMA Campaign at the TELL MAMA Fundraising Dinner |author=The Director |work=Faith Matters |date=27 January 2013 |url= https://www.faith-matters.org/speech-given-by-the-director-of-faith-matters-a-the-tell-mama-campaign-at-the-tell-mama-fundraising-dinner/}} with which it now works closely.{{cite web|last=Clegg|first=Nick|title=Deputy Prime Minister extends funding to tackle hate crime against Muslims|url=http://www.dpm.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/news/deputy-prime-minister-extends-funding-tackle-hate-crime-against-muslims|publisher=Office of the Deputy Prime Minister|access-date=12 November 2012}}

=Research=

The CST has recorded antisemitic incidents in the UK since 1984 and publishes an annual Antisemitic Incidents Report. The organisation does not release details of its methodology.

The CST's work countering antisemitism includes Anti-Zionism which it views as a euphemism for “Jewishness” and “Jew”. In its most recent report on antisemitism 43% of incidents involved Anti-Zionism. In the same report the CST recorded 355 instances "wherein the phrase “Free Palestine” was used for antisemitic purposes."{{Cite web |title=The Community Security Trust - ANTISEMITIC INCIDENTS 2024 |url=https://cst.org.uk/research/cst-publications/antisemitic-incidents-2024}}

The CST also published Terrorist Incidents against Jewish Communities and Israeli Citizens Abroad 1968-2010, a definitive report of terrorist attacks against Jewish communities around the world.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Terrorist Incidents Against Jewish Communities and Israeli Citizens Abroad, 1968-2010 – Blog|url=https://cst.org.uk/news/blog/2011/07/27/terrorist-incidents-against-jewish-communities-and-israeli-citizens-abroad-1968-2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811030653/https://cst.org.uk/news/blog/2011/07/27/terrorist-incidents-against-jewish-communities-and-israeli-citizens-abroad-1968-2010 |archive-date=2020-08-11 |access-date=2021-02-04|website=cst.org.uk|language=en-GB}}

In 2003, the charity worked with the Board of Deputies of British Jews to submit a report concerning Iran and antisemitism to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee.

In 2020, the charity released a report on rising antisemitic incidents in universities named Campus Antisemitism in Britain 2018–2020. It provided advice to universities on how to respond to reports of antisemitism. The report was debated in the House of Lords in January 2021.{{Cite journal|last=Coleman|first=Charley|date=2021-01-15|title=Antisemitic incidents in universities: Community Security Trust report|url=https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/antisemitic-incidents-in-universities-community-security-trust-report/|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|last=Harpin|first=Lee|date=|title=Fury as Tonge blames rising UK campus antisemitism on 'the illegal actions of the Israeli government'|url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/fury-as-tonge-blames-rising-uk-campus-antisemitism-on-the-illegal-actions-of-the-israeli-government-1.511061|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122111827/https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/fury-as-tonge-blames-rising-uk-campus-antisemitism-on-the-illegal-actions-of-the-israeli-government-1.511061 |archive-date=2021-01-22 |access-date=2021-02-04|website=www.thejc.com}}

In 2023, the CST recorded 4,103 antisemitic incidents in the United Kingdom, the highest reported in a calendar year, and an increase of 147% compared to 2022. The figures spiked after the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel.{{cite news |last1=Mitchell |first1=Ben |title=PM announces £72 million to fund security for Jewish communities |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/community-security-trust-jewish-rishi-sunak-hamas-british-b2504331.html |access-date=28 March 2024 |work=The Independent |date=2024-02-29}} In the first half of 2024, 1.978 antisemitic incidents were reported.

= Online abuse =

The CST has been active in monitoring and attempting to combat extremist activity online.

In 2019, the CST recorded 1,805 incidents of antisemitic abuse, 697 of which were online. The group considered it likely that Gaza-Israel tensions and turmoil within the UK's Labour Party contributed in part to an increase in such incidents.{{Cite web|author=Laura Smith-Spark|date=2019-02-07|title=Reported anti-Semitic incidents hit record high in UK -- charity|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/06/uk/uk-antisemitic-incidents-rise-gbr-intl/index.html|access-date=2021-02-06|website=CNN Digital|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2018-07-25|title=Politics to blame for number of antisemitic incidents, says watchdog|url=http://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/jul/26/politics-fuelling-high-number-of-antisemitic-incidents-in-uk-says-watchdog|access-date=2021-02-06|website=the Guardian|language=en}}

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the CST reported in 2020 that it had recorded a drop in physical assaults on Jewish people in the UK, but had noted an increase in online abuse, including antisemitic conspiracy theories accusing Jewish people of engineering the pandemic as a "hoax" or spreading COVID-19, among other antisemitic content.{{Cite web|author=Amy Woodyatt|title=Coronavirus lockdowns fuel an 'explosion' of anti-Semitism online|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/30/uk/online-anti-semitism-intl-scli-gbr/index.html|access-date=2021-02-04|website=CNN}}{{Cite web|date=2020-12-06|title=Covid fuels highest rate of online antisemitism ever recorded|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/covid-antisemitism-jewish-hate-crime-b1766987.html|access-date=2021-02-04|website=The Independent|language=en}}{{Cite news|last=Tominey|first=Camilla|date=2020-10-21|title=Antivaxxers spreading anti-semitic conspiracy theories about coronavirus, Government report finds|language=en-GB|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/10/21/antivaxxers-spreading-anti-semitic-conspiracy-theories-coronavirus/|access-date=2021-02-04|issn=0307-1235}} The charity had also said that it noticed far-right commentators online discussing spreading COVID-19 to synagogues.

The CST has released reports detailing content it considers harmful on certain alt-tech platforms such as Parler, BitChute, and Gab. The CST stated that the website BitChute was hosting videos from National Action, a neo-Nazi terrorist group in the UK.{{Cite news|last=Hamilton|first=Fiona|title='Free speech' sites harbour neo-Nazis|newspaper=The Times|language=en|url=https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/technology/article/black-lives-matter-free-speech-sites-harbour-neo-nazis-zlm22223p|url-access=subscription|date=17 June 2020|issn=0140-0460}} The Guardian reported that CST's analysis discovered posts on Telegram which "...celebrat[ed] Thomas Mair and David Copeland, and other far-right terrorists."{{Cite web|date=2020-06-28|title=The UK social media platform where neo-Nazis can view terror atrocities|url=http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/jun/28/the-uk-social-media-platform-where-neo-nazis-can-view-terror-atrocities|access-date=2021-02-04|website=the Guardian|language=en}} In early 2021, the CST reported the website BitChute to Ofcom for content it considered antisemitic, hateful, and extremist.{{Cite news|last=Hamilton|first=Fiona|title='Hateful' BitChute video site is first test for Ofcom|newspaper=The Times|language=en|url=https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/technology/article/hateful-video-site-is-first-test-for-ofcom-dbd2cb6z7|url-access=subscription|date=28 January 2020|issn=0140-0460}}{{Cite web|title=BitChute - A Very British Problem – Blog|url=https://cst.org.uk/news/blog/2021/01/28/bitchute-a-very-british-problem|access-date=2021-02-04|website=cst.org.uk|language=en-GB}} The CST has scrutinized other platforms such as Facebook and Twitter for antisemitic content.{{Cite web|last=Harpin|first=Lee|date=|title=Facebook accused of having 'blind spot' on Holocaust denial|url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/facebook-accused-of-having-blind-spot-on-holocaust-denial-1.505769|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818122017/https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/facebook-accused-of-having-blind-spot-on-holocaust-denial-1.505769 |archive-date=2020-08-18 |access-date=2021-02-04|website=www.thejc.com}}{{Cite web|date=2019-08-04|title=Twitter accounts at heart of Labour antisemitism battle, says report|url=http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/aug/04/labour-antisemitism-twitter-tom-watson-rachel-riley|access-date=2021-02-04|website=the Guardian|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2020-12-06|title=Margaret Hodge calls for ban on social media anonymity|url=http://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/dec/06/margaret-hodge-calls-for-ban-on-social-media-anonymity|access-date=2021-02-04|website=the Guardian|language=en}}

The charity was among the groups that worked with TikTok to develop a Holocaust education initiative launched in early 2021.{{Cite web|last=Reporter|first=Jewish News|title=Facebook launches comprehensive Holocaust education resource|url=https://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/facebook-launches-comprehensive-holocaust-education-resource/|access-date=2021-02-04|website=jewishnews.timesofisrael.com|language=en-US}}

After the storming of the Capitol in the United States in January 2021, the CST warned that calls for similar events to take place in the United Kingdom, including a proposed storming of Parliament or Downing Street, were appearing in far-right spaces online.{{Cite web|last=Frot|first=Mathilde|date=|title=Warning as British extremists call for US-style assault on Parliament|url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/warning-as-british-extremists-call-for-us-style-assault-on-parliament-1.510509|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108152734/https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/warning-as-british-extremists-call-for-us-style-assault-on-parliament-1.510509 |archive-date=2021-01-08 |access-date=2021-02-04|website=www.thejc.com}}{{Cite web|title=Capitolising On Violence: How British far right extremists reacted to last night's horrific scenes in Washington D.C. – Blog|url=https://cst.org.uk/news/blog/2021/01/07/capitolising-on-violence-how-british-far-right-extremists-reacted-to-last-nights-horrific-scenes-in-washington-d-c|date=7 January 2021|website=cst.org.uk|language=en}}

Funding and finances

In May 2014, the Jewish Chronicle reported that the former chief executive of the CST, Richard Benson, (who had stepped down from the position in 2013){{Cite web|last=Dysch|first=Marcus|title=CST chief executive Richard Benson steps down|url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/cst-chief-executive-richard-benson-steps-down-1.46490|date=4 July 2013|website=www.thejc.com}} was one of the highest paid charity leaders within the British Jewish community, earning £170,000-£190,000 per annum. The charity had an annual turnover of £7.34 million (making it one of the larger UK Jewish charities) and 63 employees.{{Cite news |title=Revealed: who gets what among charity movers and shakers |last=Dysch |first=Marcus |newspaper=The Jewish Chronicle |date=23 May 2014 |url= https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/revealed-who-gets-what-among-charity-movers-and-shakers-1.54943}}

Beginning in 2015, the UK government's Home Office has provided 'The Jewish Community Protective Security Grant' for the security of synagogues, schools and other Jewish centres, with the CST as the Grant Recipient. Home Secretary Sajid Javid pledged to increase funding, bringing the total amount allocated from 2015 to 2019 to £65.2 million.{{cite news|title=Home Office raises grant for protection of Jewish institutions by £600,000|url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/home-office-raises-grant-for-protection-of-jewish-institutions-by-600-000-1.480719| access-date=27 February 2019|work=The Jewish Chronicle|date=27 February 2019}}{{cite news|title=Sajid Javid vows to tackle anti-Semitism in UK|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-47389912| access-date=27 February 2019|work=BBC New|date=27 February 2019}} In 2020, the grant was renewed, and the CST received £14 million in funding for protecting the security of the Jewish community and its institutions.{{Cite news|last=Hymas|first=Charles|date=2020-04-01|title=Jewish community to get £14 million Government grant for security after record anti-semitic attacks|language=en-GB|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/04/01/jewish-community-get-14-million-government-grant-security-record/|access-date=2021-02-04|issn=0307-1235}}{{Cite web|last=Judah|first=Jacob|date=2020-04-01|title=Home Office grants CST £14 million to protect Jewish institutions|url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/home-office-grants-14-million-to-protect-jewish-institutions-1.498658|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815051917/https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/home-office-grants-14-million-to-protect-jewish-institutions-1.498658 |archive-date=2020-08-15 |access-date=2021-02-04|website=www.thejc.com}}{{Cite web|title=Home Office grants £14 million funding for security at Jewish institutions|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/home-office-grants-14-million-funding-for-security-at-jewish-institutions|date=1 April 2020|website=GOV.UK|publisher=Home Office|language=en}} As of 2020, the CST had 1,500 volunteers.

As of 2020, the CST, led by new chief executive Mark Gardner, had 92 staff members, one of whom was paid at a similar rate of £170,000-£179,000 per annum, according to the charity regulator, the Charity Commission for England and Wales.{{Cite news |title=What do the top earners take home at the community's biggest charities? |author= |work=Jewish News |date=4 September 2020 |url= https://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/charity-commission-register-reveals-communal-employees-on-more-than-60k/}}

Amidst a rise in antisemitism during the Gaza war, the UK government provided £3 million to the CST in October 2023, for a total of £18 million in funding for 2023. The additional funding provided additional security to more than 480 Jewish community institutions, including nearly 200 schools and more than 250 synagogues.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced in February 2024 a new £72 million security package to fund the CST through 2028, inclusive of £18 million in funding for 2024-25.

Criticism

In 2011, a number of articles appeared in the British weekly newspaper The Jewish Chronicle that questioned the work and functioning of the CST. Gilbert Kahn, of Kean University in the US, took the view that British Jewry did not need a CST because British Jews paid taxes to the state for their physical protection and could therefore depend on the police. On 15 April, the newspaper's columnist Geoffrey Alderman argued against the CST on the grounds that its leadership and funding were neither transparent nor accountable. Alderman returned to the subject on 10 June, when he speculated that his doubts about the CST and its work were more widely shared.{{cite news|last=Alderman|first=Geoffrey|title=Our unrepresentative security|url=https://www.thejc.com/lets-talk/our-unrepresentative-security-xswcfnbz|access-date=15 September 2011|newspaper=The Jewish Chronicle|date=2011-04-18}}{{cite news|last=Alderman|first=Geoffrey|title=Continually Spreading Trust|url=http://www.thejc.com/comment-and-debate/columnists/50033/continually-spreading-trust|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110619150436/http://www.thejc.com/comment-and-debate/columnists/50033/continually-spreading-trust|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 19, 2011|access-date=15 September 2011|newspaper=The Jewish Chronicle|date=2011-10-06}}

In July 2015, Alderman devoted his column to the retirement of the CST's Director of Security, Carol Laser. Alderman speculated on the reason for her retirement and questioned whether it was wise that she had agreed to have her identity revealed, considering that the nature of her work would have made enemies.{{cite news|last=Alderman|first=Geoffrey|title=Secrets that should stay hidden|url=http://www.thejc.com/comment-and-debate/columnists/140533/secrets-should-stay-hidden|access-date=September 18, 2015|newspaper=The Jewish Chronicle|date=July 23, 2015}}

In 2025, the CST received backlash from some in the orthodox jewish community after breaking up purim celebrations and calling the Metropolitan Police on young teenagers celebrating in the streets.{{Cite web |last=Prinsley |first=Jane |date=2025-03-21 |title=CST accused of 'betraying' community after Purim arrests |url=https://www.thejc.com/community/cst-accused-of-betraying-community-after-purim-arrests-odh1dvgl |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=The Jewish Chronicle |language=en}}