Jewish organisations have accused Prince Harry’s essay, which criticised rising antisemitism in Britain, of not acknowledging the October 7 Hamas atrocities.
Writing in the New Statesman, the Duke of Sussex described the increase in antisemitic incidents across the country as “deeply troubling” and stated that directing hatred towards individuals based on their race constitutes “not protest, it is prejudice.”
The Campaign Against Antisemitism labelled it “extraordinary” that the Duke of Sussex mentioned Israeli actions and referenced devastation in Gaza without acknowledging the Hamas attacks that preceded them.
Harry’s piece appeared to criticise Israel, without naming the country, referring to states that “act without accountability, and in ways that raise serious questions under international humanitarian law.”
Jewish groups have accused Prince Harry of an ‘extraordinary’ Hamas omission in his antisemitism essay
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A spokesman for the Campaign Against Antisemitism told the Times that “it’s nice that Prince Harry feels moved to say something about antisemitism and how it has impacted Jewish people in Britain and how he has reflected on his own past mistakes.”
However, the organisation criticised his approach, stating: “But the regression to tired formulas, including ‘all forms of racism’, is unhelpful.”
The spokesman argued that antisemitism cannot be effectively addressed “if we cannot even speak about it without diluting it.”
“Jewish people haven’t been murdered and stabbed because of all forms of racism. It’s because of one form of racism, and that is the one that should be sparking a national emergency right now,” he added.
A crowd of protestors rally with flags during the Standing Strong: Extinguish Antisemitism rally on Whitehall, Downing Street, on May 10
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The spokesman described Harry’s references to Israel as “a distraction” but expressed hope that his engagement with the issue might generate greater national attention.
Despite the criticism, commentators in outlets like The Jewish News described the essay as “one of the strongest interventions yet by a senior royal” on the subject.
Readers and community members warmly reacted online, praising Harry for being “a wise prince” and showing “true character” by supporting the community during an era of heavy social polarisation.
GB News has contacted the Duke of Sussex’s representatives for comment.
Prince Harry pictured in Jordan with Meghan Markle
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In April, Harry spent time with members of the Jewish community and survivors of an earlier shooting during a visit to Bondi Beach
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The duke’s essay was published just hours before King Charles visited the Golders Green area of north London, where two Jewish men had been stabbed the previous month.
In the article, he wrote that staying silent would permit “hatred and extremism to flourish unchecked,” while also expressing concern about rising anti-Muslim sentiment in Britain.
Two experiences are understood to have inspired Harry to write the piece.
During a February visit to Jordan, the duke met children in Amman who had been wounded in the Gaza conflict while receiving treatment at a refugee hospital, an encounter said to have profoundly affected him.
Subsequently, in April, Harry spent time with members of the Jewish community and survivors of an earlier shooting during a visit to Bondi Beach in Australia.