King Charles has visited Golders Green in London to meet the Jewish victims of the stabbings that occurred in the neighbourhood last month, demonstrating his support for the community. The King visited a Jewish Care charity centre on Thursday, where he met with Shloime Rand, 34, and Moshe Ben Baila, 76, also known as Norman Shine, both victims of the attacks. He was accompanied by Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley.
Royal Support for the Community
The Chief Rabbi expressed to the King that the community “appreciates it enormously” that he had made the visit. Charles also spoke with members of the Jewish community police force Shomrim, who were involved in responding to the attacks on April 29. After speaking with the King, Mr. Shine, who was stabbed in the neck outside a bus stop during the attack, spoke about the “genuine warmth” he felt from the monarch.
“He was very concerned. The most inspiring thing was that he didn’t let go of my hand, I mean it was amazing, he is the King but I felt a genuine warmth and concern,” Mr. Shine said. He described the visit as “extremely important” for the entire Jewish community, adding, “We feel we have a genuine friend in the King.”
Greeting the Crowds
After meeting with the victims, the King greeted the crowds gathered outside the charity centre on Golders Green Road. He waved to the assembled well-wishers and was met with chants of “long live the King.” Charles shook hands with a man who turned 100 on Thursday, saying, “I hope they give you a good celebration, and I hope you get a card from me.” He was also presented with a loaf of traditional Challah bread outside Grodz bakery on the high street and spoke with children from a local primary school.
The Alleged Attacker
The alleged Golders Green attacker, Essa Suleiman, 45, has been remanded in custody, accused of three counts of attempted murder. Suleiman is accused of trying to kill his friend of 20 years, Ishmail Hussein, at his home in Southwark before stabbing the two Jewish victims on the street on April 29. Suleiman was born in Somalia and came to the UK legally as a child in the 1990s. He was reported to Prevent, the Government’s anti-extremism programme, in 2020, but the case was closed the same year.
