Israeli visitor says Golders Green attack changed how he sees London
Victim tells Jewish News he feared for his life during antisemitic assault but insists hatred will not stop him returning
A young Israeli man attacked in Golders Green after speaking Hebrew has told Jewish News the assault has changed the way he now feels about walking the streets of London.
The 22-year-old, who asked not to be named, said he will now be “careful” speaking Hebrew publicly in the capital following the alleged antisemitic attack in the early hours of Monday morning.
The Metropolitan Police is treating the assault in The Grove, Golders Green, as an antisemitic hate crime. No arrests have been made, and enquiries remain ongoing.
Speaking to Jewish News, the victim said he had stepped outside while on the phone to friends in Hebrew shortly after 2am when he noticed a group of men approaching him.
He claimed the attackers, who he said appeared to be wearing dark hoodies and masks, looked “ready to do something” before surrounding him and launching the assault.
The man said he quickly realised he was being targeted because he was Jewish and Israeli.
“I was speaking Hebrew,” he said. “Obviously, it’s a Jewish area, and I think they realised I was Jewish.”
According to the victim, the group then began punching and kicking him in the street.
“Five people attacked one person,” he said. “Then they ran away.”
He said the attack left him fearing for his life.
“For a few seconds, I was scared for my life,” he said. “I thought they could kill me.”
The victim suffered bruising and swelling to his face and back during the assault. He was treated at the scene by Hatzola before recovering at home with family.
He told Jewish News the attack has fundamentally changed how safe he now feels publicly expressing his identity in London.
“I’m going to be careful with that now, obviously,” he said, referring to speaking Hebrew in public.
Despite the ordeal, he insisted he would continue visiting London because of his ties to the city’s Jewish community.
“I want to come back here and fight for the community because the community here is lovely,” he told Jewish News.
“This experience is going to make me stronger.”
The attack comes amid heightened concern within the Jewish community following a series of antisemitic incidents in Golders Green and across London in recent weeks.
The victim urged Jewish Londoners to remain vigilant while continuing to stand up against antisemitism.
“We need to change something,” he said. “Stay safe and be careful.”
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