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Actor Stephen Fry decries rise in antisemitism, calls for Jewish pride in Christmas address

In London, there has been a 1,350 percent increase in antisemitic incidents.

By Shiryn Ghermezian, The Algemeiner

British Jewish actor Stephen Fry on Christmas Day addressed the rise in antisemitism in Britain following Hamas’ Oct. 7 massacre across southern Israel, urging the Jewish community to be proud of its heritage in a holiday message that aired on television in the United Kingdom.

“At this time in the face of the greatest rise in anti-Jewish racism since records began, Jews should stand upright and proud in who they are. And so should you, whatever your genetic makeup,” Fry said in a prerecorded message broadcast on Monday on Britain’s Channel 4.

The actor and author also discussed his own heritage and “pride” in being Jewish before diving into how the Oct. 7 attacks have led to a surge in antisemitism in the UK. He noted that since the deadly massacre in southern Israel, there have been 50 separate reported incidents of antisemitic incidents every single day in London — a 1,350 percent increase — according to statistics by the Metropolitan Police.

“The horrendous events of October the 7th and the Israeli response seem to have stirred up this ancient hatred,” Fry said. “It’s agonizing to see all the violence and destruction that’s unfolding, and the terrible loss of life on both sides brings me an overwhelming sadness and heartache. But whatever our opinions on what is happening, there can be no excuse for the behavior of some of our citizens.”

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“My Jewish grandparents loved Britain, believing that Jews were more welcome here than in most countries,” Fry added. “I am glad they aren’t alive now to read newspaper stories that would have reminded them of the 1930s Europe that they left. They believed Britishness meant being fair and decent, but what can be more unfair or indecent than race hatred, whether antisemitism, Islamophobia, or any kind?”

He ended by calling on viewers to call out antisemitism just like they would for any other form of racism.

“Standing upright means speaking up and calling out venomous slurs and hateful abuse wherever you encounter them,” Fry said. “Knowing and loving this country as I do, I don’t believe that most Britons are OK living in a society that judges hatreds of Jews to be the one acceptable form of racism. So speak up, stand with us, be proud to be Jewish or Jew-ish — or, if not Jewish at all, proud to have us as much a part of this great nation as any other minority, as any of you.”