How international conflicts can influence community tensions in the UK

Key Takeaways:

• Community tension in the UK has been influenced by international conflict. The rise in Islamophobia and antisemitism in the UK can be partially attributed to wider warfare.

• Political identity increasingly transcends borders, meaning conflicts abroad are no longer distant issues, but can be ‘imported’.

• When inequalities are felt in the UK, tensions can shift, creating a premise for hate speech, hostile public debate, and protests.

Internal vs international tension

Internal conflict in the UK has, in recent years, been heavily influenced by international conflict across the globe. The rise in hate crime incidents cannot be ignored, with increases in antisemitism and Islamophobia often closely linked to periods of international warfare and heightened geopolitical tensions. Conflict can be ‘imported’ and, although not directly experienced in the UK, can be felt through waves of hate crime, protests, anti-social behaviour and discrimination. Communities no longer experience conflicts ‘at a distance’; instead, their impacts are increasingly visible at street level, where global events can shape local tensions, public demonstrations and community anxieties. Social media has intensified this effect, allowing international conflicts to be interpreted, shared and reacted to almost instantly. However, this also creates space for misinformation, hostile narratives and ideological messaging to spread quickly, increasing the risk of division and hostility within UK communities.

When conflict manifests pre-existing beliefs:

International conflict has drastically influenced community tensions in the UK, particularly for Jewish communities. Antisemitism in the UK has risen significantly, with 3,700 antisemitic incidents reported across 2025, a 4% increase from the 3,556 incidents recorded in 2024. This rise can be closely linked to international conflict, which has reinforced tensions not only within local communities in the UK, but also globally. The terrorist attack in Israel on 07 October and the subsequent war in Gaza have led to increased concern for Jewish communities around the world. In some cases, anger over the deaths of thousands of Palestinians as a result of Israel’s acts in Gaza has been used to justify verbal or physical aggression towards Jewish people more broadly. This has often involved the use of antisemitic slurs, conspiracy theories and tropes rooted in a long history of antisemitism.

Regardless of individual Jewish people’s views on the conflict, including those who are highly critical of the Israeli government, some individuals wrongly associate Jewish identity with the actions of the Israeli state. In this context, “Jewish” becomes viewed as equal to “Israel” and therefore associated with the killing of Palestinian civilians. The conflict has therefore not necessarily created antisemitism but has triggered and intensified pre-existing negative attitudes. These attitudes are then reinforced and justified through the actions of Israel, with some people failing to distinguish between the actions of the Israeli government and Jewish communities themselves.

The rise of antisemitism in the UK is deeply concerning. Recent incidents have contributed to heightened fears within Jewish communities and increased concern around the potential for terrorist attacks, hence the rise in terror threat level. In April, 140 antisemitic offences were recorded, the highest monthly total since the Metropolitan Police changed the method to recording hate crime in March 2024. Recent incidents have included:

• The stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green.

• An arson attack on Hatzola ambulances in Golders Green.

• Arson attack at a synagogue in London.

• The deaths of two men at a synagogue in Manchester last year.

Some recent antisemitic crimes have also been indirectly linked to wider tensions involving Iran. Overall, the Middle East conflict has intensified concern around the strength of antisemitism in the UK and the consequences this may have for Jewish communities. It demonstrates how international conflict can quickly move beyond foreign policy debate and become a domestic issue, affecting community cohesion, public safety and the day-to-day security of minority groups.

International conflict influencing domestic tension:

Russia’s military action in Ukraine has also had implications for community tensions in the UK. The war has contributed to the wider cost-of-living narrative, which many Britons have faced in recent years. The conflict changed economic conditions, contributing to higher energy prices, inflationary pressures and wider financial insecurity, alongside the arrival of Ukrainian refugees. Although the UK’s response to Ukrainian refugees has been largely supportive, periods of economic pressure can create conditions where individuals look for blame factors, rather than identifying the wider causes of aggravating conditions.

When inequalities are felt, local tensions can shift, creating a premise for hate speech, hostile public debate, violent protest and the exploitation of anti-migrant sentiment. Within diaspora communities in the UK, Russian and Ukrainian communities have also faced division, creating a challenging atmosphere even for second-and third-generation communities who remain emotionally connected to their ancestral roots. The Russia-Ukraine war therefore acted as a catalyst for some individuals in the UK to link international conflict with domestic grievances, particularly around the cost-of-living crisis and immigration. It has also created concerns around harassment targeting Russian businesses, cultural venues or individuals, alongside disinformation and conspiracy narratives online.

Conclusion:

Conflict overseas can easily manifest within local communities in the UK, particularly when global events become tied to identity, religion, nationality or political belief. As seen through both the Middle East conflict and the Russia-Ukraine war, international crises can intensify pre-existing tensions, influence protest activity, and contribute to increases in hate crime, discrimination and community anxiety. Social media has become a key conflict multiplier, allowing misinformation, hostile narratives and emotive content to spread rapidly, often reinforcing existing prejudices rather than encouraging balanced understanding.

The impact of these tensions can be deeply damaging for UK communities, particularly for groups who become unfairly associated with the actions of foreign states or overseas governments. Political identity increasingly transcends borders, meaning conflicts abroad are no longer distant issues, but events that can shape local relationships, public debate and community safety in the UK. Overall, international conflict places pressure on policing, cohesion and national security, highlighting the need for early monitoring, community engagement and stronger awareness of how online narratives can translate into real-world harm.