Ministers are under mounting pressure to take decisive action against antisemitism following a suspected terror attack in north London on Wednesday, in which two Jewish men were stabbed in Golders Green. The incident has reignited calls for a ban on pro-Palestine marches, with critics arguing that such demonstrations foster a climate of hatred against Jews.
Attack Details
The victims, identified locally as 34-year-old Shilome Rand and 76-year-old Moshe Ben Baila, also known as Moshe Shine, were both taken to hospital after being attacked. A 45-year-old man, described by police as a Somali-born British national, was arrested at the scene. The stabbings represent the latest in a series of assaults on Jewish individuals and sites in recent weeks, intensifying concerns about rising antisemitism in the UK.
Victim's Account
Speaking to ITV, Mr Rand expressed the fear gripping the Jewish community: "People are really afraid, people are uncomfortable walking in the streets. People are blaming obviously the Government. You know they aren't doing anything about what's going on for the past few months."
Political and Community Reactions
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis has called for "meaningful action" to address the "root causes" of antisemitism. The Board of Deputies of British Jews echoed this sentiment, demanding that antisemitism be "confronted, punished and deterred with the full force of the state." Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer responded by vowing to tackle the causes of antisemitism, increase funding for security at Jewish sites, and address "malign state actors" linked to recent violence. He is expected to meet with criminal justice agencies on Thursday and has promised to visit Golders Green as soon as possible.
However, there are growing demands for more stringent measures, particularly the prohibition of pro-Palestinian marches. Jonathan Hall, the former independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, argued that it is currently "impossible" for such marches not to "incubate" antisemitism, describing recent attacks as a "massive national security emergency" and calling for a moratorium on these demonstrations. The Chief Rabbi also linked the marches to a broader "tone of antisemitism" in the UK, alongside "purposeful anti-Israel demonisation."
Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch added her voice to the calls, stating that it is "quite clear they are used as a cover for violence and intimidation against Jews."
Police Response
In the wake of the attack, police forces across the country have intensified patrols in Jewish areas. Greater Manchester Police deployed extra officers with a "high-visibility presence within our Jewish communities in north Manchester, Bury and Salford." West Yorkshire Police and Thames Valley Police also announced increased patrols to provide additional reassurance. In London, counter-terrorism officers are investigating the incident and searching an address in the south-east of the city, following reports that the suspect had been involved in a prior altercation.
