Two men who launched a water pistol attack on Orthodox Jews in London have been handed what many are calling an excessively lenient punishment, sparking outrage among community leaders and anti-hate crime campaigners.
The incident, which took place in a predominantly Jewish neighbourhood, saw the perpetrators deliberately squirt water at members of the Orthodox community while shouting abusive remarks. Despite the clear targeting of victims based on their religion, the offenders received only a conditional discharge.
Community Leaders Express Disgust
Local Jewish leaders have condemned the attack and the judicial response, describing it as a failure to take hate crimes seriously. "This sends a dangerous message that such behaviour is trivial," said one community spokesperson. "We need stronger action to deter these kinds of targeted attacks."
Police Defend Handling of Case
Authorities have defended their handling of the incident, stating that while the attack was unacceptable, the punishment was in line with legal guidelines. However, critics argue that more severe penalties are needed to combat rising hate crimes in the capital.
The case has reignited debates over how the justice system deals with religiously motivated offences, with calls for stricter sentencing to protect vulnerable communities.
