Prince Harry Denounces Antisemitism in UK and Criticizes Israel in Op-Ed
Prince Harry has warned of what he called a “deeply troubling rise in antisemitism” in the U.K., while urging the public not to conflate criticism of state actions in the Middle East with hostility toward Jewish people at home.
In an opinion piece published by The New Statesman, a left-leaning British magazine, the Duke of Sussex said Jewish families across the U.K. are being made to feel unsafe, citing recent antisemitic attacks in London and Manchester. At the same time, he acknowledged widespread anger over the scale of civilian suffering in Gaza and Lebanon, which have had “entire neighborhoods leveled and reduced to rubble,” he said. Harry argued that accountability must be directed at governments rather than entire faith communities.
The Duke of Sussex’s op-ed comes just over two weeks after two Jewish men, Shloime Rand and Moshe Shine, were stabbed in Golders Green, London. The attack was declared a terrorist incident, and Essa Suleiman, the 45-year-old suspect who has been charged with attempted murder, is due in court on Friday.
What Prince Harry Said About Israel and Antisemitism
“Across the country, we are seeing a deeply troubling rise in antisemitism,” Harry wrote in the op-ed. “Jewish communities-families, children, ordinary people-are being made to feel unsafe in the very places they call home.”
“That should alarm us, but also unite us. Because hatred directed at people for who they are, or what they believe, is not protest. It is prejudice,” he continued.
Harry cited “recent incidents, including lethal violence in London and Manchester,” referencing the murders of Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby, who were fatally shot while they worshipped at Heaton Park synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester, in October. The police shot and killed Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, who carried out the attack.
“Across the globe, there is deep and justified alarm at the scale of loss in the Middle East,” Harry wrote. “Images from Gaza, Lebanon and the wider region-of devastated communities and entire neighborhoods leveled and reduced to rubble-have shaken people to their core. For many, the instinct to speak out, to march, to demand accountability, to call for an end to suffering-is both human and necessary.”
“But these two realities are being dangerously conflated. We have seen how legitimate protest against state actions in the Middle East does exist alongside hostility toward Jewish communities at home-just as we have also seen how criticism of those actions can be too easily dismissed or mischaracterized,” he continued.
Harry wrote that public opinion has been polarized, removing nuance. He added: “That debate has also ignored the diversity of views within Jewish communities, including many who are openly and publicly critical of certain state actions.
“We cannot ignore a difficult truth: when states act without accountability, and in ways that raise serious questions under international humanitarian law-criticism is both legitimate, necessary and essential in any democracy.”
While he did not call out Israel by name, Harry’s op-ed left little room for doubt that his analysis of the suffering of civilians in the Middle East was aimed at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
“The scale of human suffering continues to grow and demands sustained scrutiny and action from the international community,” Harry wrote. “We have also seen the devastating loss of life among journalists in Gaza, undermining transparency and accountability at a time when both are essential. The onus falls squarely on the state-not an entire people. Such actions have nothing to do with Judaism.”
Prince Harry’s Nazi Uniform Scandal
Harry also referenced his own past scandals, namely when he was photographed at a costume party wearing a Nazi uniform.
“I am acutely aware of my own past mistakes,” he wrote, “thoughtless actions for which I have apologized, taken responsibility and learned from.”
In January 2005, Harry was 20 and attended a costume party with the theme “natives and colonials,” wearing a Nazi uniform with a swastika armband. British tabloid The Sun published a photo on its front page alongside the headline “Harry the Nazi,” sparking global outrage.
The backlash was swift and severe. Jewish groups, politicians and commentators condemned the costume as offensive and insensitive, particularly because the image appeared shortly before Holocaust Memorial Day.
Critics argued the prince had trivialized the suffering associated with Nazi symbolism, and questions were raised about his judgment and suitability for military service.
Harry wrote in his 2023 memoir, Spare: “I went up and down the rows, sifting through the racks, seeing nothing I liked. With time running out I narrowed my options to two.
“A British pilot’s uniform. And a sand-colored Nazi uniform. With a swastika armband. And a flat cap. I phoned Willy and Kate, asked what they thought. ‘Nazi uniform,’ they said. I rented it, plus a silly mustache, and went back to the house.”
He added: “What followed was a firestorm, which I thought at times would engulf me. And I felt that I deserved to be engulfed. There were moments over the course of the next several weeks and months when I thought I might die of shame.”
King Charles III, then the Prince of Wales, took pity on his younger son but said Harry must make amends. Charles sent him to see the U.K.’s chief rabbi, who “offered me a cup of tea, then dived straight in,” Harry wrote.
He continued: “He didn't mince words. He condemned my actions. He wasn’t unkind, but it had to be done. There was no way round it. He also placed my stupidity in historical context. He spoke about the 6 million, the annihilated. Jews, Poles, dissenters, intellectuals, homosexuals. Children, babies, old people, turned to ash and smoke. A few short decades ago.”
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This story was originally published May 14, 2026 at 3:08 AM.