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. The incident has reignited calls for a ban on pro-Palestine marches, with critics claiming they foster an environment of hatred.
Attack Details
The victims, 34-year-old Shilome Rand and 76-year-old Moshe Ben Baila, also known locally as Moshe Shine, were stabbed in Golders Green and taken to hospital. A 45-year-old Somali-born British national has been arrested in connection with the attack. Police nationwide have increased patrols in Jewish areas in response.
Witness Isaac Cohen described chasing the attacker after seeing him pursue the two men. “We said, ‘what are you doing?’, and we understood something was wrong,” he told the Daily Mail. “So we turned the car and we went after him, we tried to save the people. We screamed ‘be careful’.” Another witness, Moishe Geller, recounted how the assailant lunged at Mr Rand, who initially did not realise he had been stabbed until he saw blood on his chest.
Calls for Action
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis has called for “meaningful action” to address the “root causes” of antisemitism, while the Board of Deputies of British Jews insists that antisemitism must be “confronted, punished and deterred with the full force of the state.” Mr Rand, the younger victim, expressed fear among the Jewish community and criticised the Government for inaction over recent months.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has vowed 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 criminal justice agencies on Thursday and plans to visit Golders Green “as soon as possible.” However, he faces growing pressure to go further, including banning pro-Palestinian marches.
Jonathan Hall, former independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, described the recent attacks on Jews as a “massive national security emergency” and called for a moratorium on pro-Palestinian marches, stating it is currently “impossible” for such marches not to “incubate” antisemitism. The Chief Rabbi echoed this, saying “hate marches” and “purposeful anti-Israel demonisation” have contributed to a “tone of antisemitism” in the UK.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch also joined the calls, asserting that the marches are “quite clear they are used as a cover for violence and intimidation against Jews.”
Police Response
Police forces across the country have stepped up patrols. Greater Manchester Police has 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 have also increased patrols to provide reassurance.
In London, counter-terrorism officers are investigating the attack and searching an address in the south-east of the city. Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams and Barnet Council chief executive Cath Shaw announced a “significant number of officers” would be in the area, with temporary stop-and-search powers to prevent further violence. An increased policing presence will be visible around schools, transport hubs, high footfall areas, and faith venues.
