Khan: No Jewish person here should be attacked because of what happened in the Middle East
Mayor describes Golders Green attacks as 'dark day for London'
Sadiq Khan has warned that no Jewish person in this country should be attacked because of what is happening in the Middle East, after being asked if the conflict with Iran is spilling over into the UK.
In an interview following the arson attacks on four Jewish community ambulances in Golders Green, north-west London, the Mayor of London said it was a “dark day” for the capital.
He added:,”Jewish Londoners who volunteer to provide a service for all Londoners have been attacked for no other reason than because they are Jewish.”
Responding to a question on BBC News about what should the government be doing to ensure that events in the Middle East are not spilling over into the UK, Khan said:”I’m afraid we know you could do a graph in terms of tension in the Middle East and an increase in antisemitism in London and across the UK and indeed across the globe.
“And we’ve got to recognise that there is no link between the two in terms of no Jewish person in this country should be attacked because of what happened in the Middle East.
“And we’ve got to make sure we don’t conflate two very separate issues.
“You may have strong views about the Middle East, there’s no excuse to treat somebody less favourably because they are Jewish, we should have a sensitivity to how scared Jewish people are feeling.”
Khan said he was in close contact with the Met Police Commissioner, the Community Security Trust, with local leaders of the Jewish community and with the ambulance and fire service after the Golders Green attack.
He added he wanted “those responsible for this despicable, cowardly attack” to “face the full force of the law” and for justice to be brought about.
The Mayor also said, “We should have a sensitivity to how scared Jewish people are feeling.”
He continued:” That’s why it’s really important, not just today, but at all times, to reach out to the Jewish community.
“Very soon, we’ll have the feast and festival of Passover. I encourage all Londoners, whether you’re Jewish or not, to reach out to a Jewish friend, colleague and neighbour.”
He said it was “really important for us to do what we can to make our friends, colleagues and neighbours feel less scared.”
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