Synagogue set alight during rise in anti-Semitic attacks in London
Robert Mendick and Neil Millard06.01.09
THE number of anti-Semitic attacks in London has risen sharply following Israel's land assault on Gaza, Jewish community groups said today.
Their leaders have compiled a dossier of attacks against Jews which will be handed to seniors officers in the Metropolitan police.
The attacks include claims of:
● An attempt to burn down a synagogue in north-west London.
● An assault on a Jewish motorist who was pulled from his car and punched.
● A gang of youths chanting anti-Semitic slogans as they tried to enter restaurants and shops in Golders Green.
The Community Security Trust, which is responsible for the safety of Jews in Britain, has also noted the emergence of anti-Semitic graffiti in Jewish areas across London. Slogans sprayed on walls include: "Kill Jews" and "Jews are scumbags."
The trust has now logged 24 anti-Semitic incidents - most of them in London - in the past week. Police are said to be stepping up patrols in Jewish areas.
Mark Gardner, the trust's spokesman, told the Standard: "There has been a significant rise in the number of anti-Semitic incidents, especially when compared with what is usually a very quiet time of year for racist, anti-Jewish attacks.
"It is a pattern with which we and police are now sadly familiar, whereby hysteria is whipped up against Israel: and British Jews then suffer a wave of anti-Semitism."
The arson attack on the synagogue in Brondesbury took place on Sunday night. The arsonists first tried to smash open a window but failed because of the toughened glass in place to protect such buildings from terrorist attacks.
Mr Gardner said: "Having been thwarted they then appear to have attempted to set the front door alight with petrol, causing some damage to the exterior of the premises. Police, CST and fire brigade attended the scene."
On New Year's Eve, a man was pulled from his car just as he was about to drive off and assaulted by three men whom he described as being of Arab appearance. The victim did not suffer any serious injury. The same night a gang of youths alarmed locals in Golders Green by trying to enter Jewish shops while chanting anti-Israeli slogans.
Joey Ben-Yoav, manager of nearby Met Su Yan, a kosher Chinese restaurant in Golders Green, said: "It was scary. They were waving flags and shouting. It felt like if we went out they would hit us or something.
"They walked past a few Jews and just shouted 'Jew' at them. They did not look like they were in the mood for making peace."
Reader views (26)
I don't understand the point of attacking Jews living in Britain when its the state of Israel which is the problem.
Its simple scapegoating by palestinian sympathisers, same as every western country has scapegoated the muslim communities and countries (not every Jew supports Israel, just as not every German supported Hitler). We've bought more death and destruction to them than they ever have to us, but I digress. Perhaps if Israel responded proportionally to Hamas rockets (which have killed/injured a lot less people than the tanks and helicopter gunships), and weren't actively siezing land from the Gazans there wouldn't be such a massive anti-semetic movement within Muslim communities.
- Tim, Northants, UK
Britian and Europe in general has a very toxic population. Stand up for yourselves! Stop letting the islamist dictate your county. How many mass-murderers do you need to produce before you realize there is a serious problem here. Obviously the terrorist attacks in London have done little to show you who the enemy is.
There has not been a single Jew threaten to blow up this county. Yet you still stand behind the terrorists.
It was Muslims who have launched several terrorits attacks around the world. The Jews are the canary-in-the-mine. Just remember, when the muslims are tired of killing Jews, they will come for you next.
- Jeremy, NYC/London
As an American Jew currently living in London, I can say that in my experience, the London area is much more anti-semitic than anywhere I've ever lived in the US.
There have been over 25 anti-semitic incidents in the London area since the Gaza situation started and these incidents have received hardly any press coverage outside of the Jewish press, but for this newspaper. Had a synagogue in the US been set afire, or a man dragged from his car and punched, it would have been the top story on the nightly news. Even swastika graffiti is deemed important enough to make the evening news. This is apparently not the case here where people don't like to cause a stir.
Appalingly, the recent anti-semitic incidents have received more coverage in the US news media than here!
Wake up before we all forget the phrase "Never Again."
- Jon, London, UK
First of all Hamas didn't start this conflict, yes i agree they shouldn't fire rockets. How can you tell human beings we will kill your people and ministers and you can not retaliate.
- Thomas, London
As an English person I would just like to live in my own country in peace.
- Rosie England, England
Bryan from Bolton and John from San Diego suffer from denial of the highest order. Anti-Semitism is alive and well in England just as it in in the US. Hamas relentlessly uses rocket attacks against Israelis for months until Israel finally retaliates and the mainstream media reports it as though Israel just decided to bomb Gaza. Israelis try to portray themselves as victims to gain sympathy? Sorry, but that would be taking one from the Arab/Pali playbook.
- Joanne600, NYC, USA
Searching the internet for people convicted of committing anti-semitic attacks, I'm finding as many Jews as non-Jews. While the motive is never mentioned in the reports, it's hard to imagine why they would fake these attacks other than wanting to give the impression that the Jewish people are being victimised. If they were simple cases of insurance fraud, there'd be no need to introduce the anti-semitic element at all. Not sure if I'm allowed to post links, but here goes. . .
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3891609.stm
http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/article.php?p=24417
http://www.sott.net/signs/editorials/signs20060914_IsraeliDiplomatCarryingLargeQuantityOfExplosivesArrestedInArgentina.php
http://www.totallyjewish.com/news/world/c-9773/anti-semitic-vandalism-at-bnei-akiva/
http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/west/2004/08/20/45178.htm?print=1
http://mathaba.net/news/?x=569929
http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-187443640.html
Is there any reason not to believe that this is just the tip of an iceberg? During the 2006 conflict in Lebanon I remember hearing that Jewish cemeteries were being desecrated all over Europe, and it does make me wonder how many of these attacks were genuine. I read that some were exposed as hoaxes in France and Germany. Sorry if this offends anybody - I'm just pointing out that there's another side to the story.
- Bryan, Bolton
James(from London), you are either not that well- informed, have travelled little or perhaps suffer from a combination of the two.
The UK (or England if you prefer)is not and historically has never been particularly anti-semitic or indeed racist. The fact that we have people from all corners of the world here (and many others apparently lining up to get over here) would appear to support this.
Are there isolated incidents of racism and anti-semitism? Sure, we don`t live in an ideal world. However, compared with other nations, either in the West or certainly the world at large, the UK has historically been (and continues to be) a tolerent and welcoming country.
- M. John Namrah, San Diego, California
If it is wrong (and it IS wrong) to say that a Muslim is automatically guilty of supporting the militant/radical actions of his co-religionists elsewhere, then it is equally wrong to say the same of Jews, or any other grouping for that matter - especially when those people are actually defending their country from terrorist attacks encouraged and supported by the 'legitimately elected government of the Gaza Palestinians'.
- Rogan, Irving
When the Six day war occured the Islamists were overjoyed, until they started losing. Then they turned on Christians and killed many.
- Peter, Camberley UK
Biased BBC TV has inflamed this, continually showing tragic injuries to children/civilians in Gaza, but rarely to Hamas terrorists.
- Roger, London
How terribel it must have been for the community. Maybe they should all move to Gaza? Things are better there hey.
- Joe, London,UK
I cannot access "Bryan from Bolton"'s comment. But as a Boltonian of yore I am sure that he has provided me with yet another reason to be ashamed of and avoid my old home town.
- Frank, Saarbrücken, Germany
Bryan where on earth did you get that rubbish from. I suggest you phone the police and find out for yourself the truth. You appear really ignorant
- Tzreil, London UK
I would be grateful if Bryan from Bolton would be able to supply the appropriate evidence to back up his claim that Jews attack their own property just to obtain sympathy from the wider community when Israel is involved in fighting. I for one very much doubt that he will be able to. To be frank his comment could be interpreted as being racist but I will leave that for the reading public to decide.
It is a fact that there has always been anti-Semitism in the UK, sometimes it is more pronounced than at other times but unfortunately the UK does have problems with racism of all kinds and against all people. It is also apparent that when Israel is in conflict the level of anti-Semitic in the UK activity does seem to rise. Legitimate opposition of Israeli actions are important and welcome. Israel is a democracy and the right to disagree with the policies and actions of her Government are fundamentally important to the free nature of Israeli society, in the same way as they are in the UK. However, it is apparent that there are those who seem to find it appropriate to mix opposition to Israeli policy with a wider anti-Semitic agenda which includes the validity of Israel’s right to exist and also seems to assume that all Jews are legitimate targets for anti Israeli feelings and that all Jews share responsibility for the actions of the Israeli Government. This does not ever appear to be the case when other nations are involved in conflicts elsewhere in the world.
- James, London, UK
This situation has been exacerbated by London's ex Lord Mayor-Ken Livingstone who must take a considerable amount of blame for inflaming the "Anti Semetic community",when garnishing the "Troops" for the march last week.He knew exactly what he was doing and what the outcome was likely to be.
What an irresponsible Public Figure he is.
- Harvey N Lawrence, London-UK
Sadly this just goes to prove that to be anti Israel is also to be antisemetic. The people who commit these crimes are very very ignorant. But as Ricky Martin said the press and its biased reports have a lot to do with this situation.
- Tzreil, London UK
Ricky Martin, I think the BBC does provide neutral balanced coverage of the Gaza slaughter, despite Israel having banned all journalists from the area! Hamas, for your information, is the democratically elected government for the Palestinian people, just because it is not recognised by the international community, does not mean that it is not reprsentative of the Palestinian peoples will. Any way that you look at it, it is thousands of palestinian civilians that are getting slaughtered, and maimed, could you imagine the outrage were the figures reversed? I think that it is very important to differentiate between Jews and Israeli Zionists,unfortunately, I think a lot of people will not!I also am very sad that a people who suffered so much under Nazi tyranny, could inflict similar suffering on its fellow beings!
- Kevin Sullivan, Roehampton, London.
There is no rise in anti-semitic feeling in London. There may be some anti-semitic thugs who feel they can now justify their actions and know that even if caught they will be protected by human rights laws and condoned by the likes of Ken Livingstone.
- Beatriz, London
My experience is that increasingly people are outspoken against jews in general and use the conflict to express their anti semitism. On sunday whilst in the park, a dog walker explained to me, after sympathasing with Hamas that the financial crisis was all due to the jews as it was the jews who were the bankers. I haven't heard of this kind of view so openly expressed since the rise of Hitler.
- J Lynn, London, UK
Too many people of this background cling to their Tribe and blindly support whatever it does. If you are going to help support Israeli terror- financially, vocally, and with military sevice- what do you expect? No sympathies here!
- Akhtar, Ottawa, Canada
Those peaceful muslims at it again.
- Brandon Thomas, London UK
Would you expect anything else in Londonistan?
- Ab, London
were the youths from a certain ethnicity? i hope the police treat this a seriously as they would anti-islamic racism
- Aesir, Londonistan
This is appalling. It's the consequence of violence, rather than dialogue. Why the universal process of cause and effect isn't it obvious to everyone is beyond me, but I reckon that, most times, people don't even really understand the forces that encourage them to behave with this lack of humanity.
Please don't make excuses for this hate and intimidation, or cite it as justification for similar attacks on supporters of the Palestinian cause (- "Well, look what they're doing...they deserve all they get", and the like). Start the dialogue - drop the force!
- Karli, Tottenham, London
I think the BBC - with it's one-sided, irresponsible and biased journalism - has played a significant part in inflaming the views of extremists in this country. After all Hamas is a terrorist organisation banned by the EU with a Covenant to exterminate Jews, not just in Israel but worldwide. Anti Israel bias is endemic in the Corporate and can be found everywhere from the CBBC website, the main website which focuses only on Hamas, their editorial selections, use of Hamas propaganda over Israeli information, reliance on Hamas sourced images and in-house opinion. They sixth form agitprop agenda is risky and potentially dangerous.
As our public service broadcaster they have a responsibility under their Charter to report the news and not shape it. The levels of journalism are woefully poor right now.
I also hope the police are going to support our Jewish neighbours.
- Ricky Martin, Hackney E8, UK
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