The Metropolitan Police launched an investigation
A 22-year-old Jewish man, visiting London from Israel, was assaulted by a group of men in Golders Green, north London, during the early hours of Monday. The Metropolitan Police have launched an investigation and are treating the case as an anti-Semitic hate crime.According to the BBC, the victim suffered injuries to his face, neck and back, and was taken to hospital for treatment before leaving the hospital at a later time. The Metropolitan Police said officers were called shortly after 2am after reports of a Jewish man being assaulted by several assailants.
“They kicked me like an animal”
Speaking to the BBC, the victim recalled the brutal assault, saying: “They kicked me like an animal and didn’t stop. They were screaming: ‘Are you Jewish?’ I was thinking they could kill me.”The man claimed that about five men attacked him while he was talking to his friends on the phone. He claimed that the attackers insulted him, tore off his pants, and left him with only one shoe during the assault.
The victim believes he was targeted because he speaks Hebrew
The victim told the BBC that he believed he was specifically targeted because he spoke Hebrew and was clearly Jewish. He said that despite hearing about recent anti-Semitic incidents in London, he had previously felt safe in the city.
He said: “It seemed far away to me, and I felt safe. But now that it has happened to me, I think something big has to change in London, and in Europe.”The Metropolitan Police confirmed that investigations into the attack are continuing and appealed for eyewitnesses to come forward to give their statements. No arrests have been made so far.
Rise in anti-Semitic incidents
This comes amid growing concerns about anti-Semitic attacks in London, especially after last month’s stabbings in Golders Green and several attacks targeting Jewish sites in the capital, including incidents of arson.The Community Security Foundation, a Jewish security charity, described the incident as a “violent and horrific attack.”Earlier this month, the Metropolitan Police announced the formation of a new community protection team with 100 additional officers to help protect London’s Jewish communities.
