King Charles Becomes Patron of Jewish Charity Amid Rising Antisemitism in UK
LONDON – King Charles III has agreed to become the patron of the Community Security Trust (CST), a leading Jewish charity in the United Kingdom, the organization announced Tuesday. The move comes a day after a suspected antisemitic arson attack in north London that targeted ambulances belonging to a Jewish community organization.
The CST advises Britain’s roughly 280,000 Jews on security matters. A statement from the charity highlighted the King’s “longstanding commitment to promoting tolerance, inclusion and interfaith understanding” as the reason for his acceptance of the patronage.
While Buckingham Palace has not commented on the matter, the timing follows a concerning surge in antisemitic incidents both in the UK and globally. Four ambulances were set ablaze early Monday morning in the Golders Green area of London, prompting an investigation by police who are exploring a possible link to Iran, according to reports.
“We are scared, terrified,” one London resident told The Times of Israel following the attack.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the arson as “deeply shocking.” London’s Metropolitan Police chief, Mark Rowley, stated that counterterrorism police are investigating an online claim of responsibility from an Islamist group with alleged ties to Iran.
The incident is the latest in a troubling trend. Antisemitic incidents in the UK reached record highs in 2024 and 2025, and remained near those levels this year, according to the CST. This escalation began following the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas and the subsequent conflict in Gaza.
King Charles has demonstrated a history of engagement with the Jewish community. Last year, he visited a synagogue in northern England following an attack during Yom Kippur that resulted in two deaths, expressing his “deeply shocked and saddened” sentiment and meeting with those affected.
The King, as titular head of the Church of England, has consistently engaged in interfaith dialogue with leaders from various religious communities. The patronage of the CST, while not a direct response to the recent arson, underscores this ongoing commitment.
Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.
