Residents of Golders Green have expressed shock and fear after two men were stabbed in an apparent antisemitic attack on Thursday. The incident, which took place shortly after 11am on Golders Green Road, has left the local Jewish community questioning their safety in the UK.
Baruch Stern, of Gross Butchers, said: “People feel scared, people feel unsafe. People think, is it really the place for me to be here? Is the UK safe for Jewish people, or is it something we need to think about, moving away?” The attack is the latest in a string of incidents targeting Jewish schools, synagogues and charities over recent months.
A 45-year-old suspect was arrested after being seen running along Golders Green Road carrying a knife. He allegedly tried to stab police officers and was subdued with a stun gun. The victims, a man in his 70s and another in his 30s, are in a stable condition in hospital.
Dov Forman, a 22-year-old student, said: “No one finds this shocking any more. We all knew this was coming. It was never a question of if there would be another attack, only when.” He added that many Jews are frightened and questioning whether they can continue to live in the UK.
Jacob Lipsy, 35, a local resident, said the area was “getting more hostile” and he worried for his children. He called on politicians to “take more responsibility in their narrative”. Sam Adler, 37, said: “When you allow antisemitism to be normalised, when you allow mobs to march through London week after week … this is exactly where it leads.”
Police have sealed off the area and are investigating the incident. The community remains on edge, with many calling for stronger action from the government to address rising antisemitism.
