Man attempts to gain access to Jewish school before citing Israel

The Metropolitan Police has confirmed it is investigating an incident which took place outside a Jewish school in north west London on Tuesday, where a man appeared to try and gain access to the site before talking about Israel and chanting in Arabic.

Video footage appeared to show the individual telling a security guard at outside the school that he was from “the council”. Having been refused access and subsequently confronted by a passer-by, the man said: “I’m just asking a friend what’s going on in Israel”. Told to leave the area, the man then began chanting what appeared to be verses from the Koran. He subsequently referred to “Somaliland”, which Israel recently recognised, before saying that “Allah asks you for five prayers a day…fewer and he’ll be disappointed in you” and then shouting “Alhamdullilah [praise be to God] for Islam!”

Campaign Against Antisemitism shared the video footage on social media, with a spokesperson for the organisation saying:  “Another day at the gate of a Jewish school in London. A man demands ‘answers’ on Israel from a guard and yells in Arabic at a passer by. What would have happened if the Jewish school didn’t have a guard?

“In the UK in 2026, Jewish children go to school behind guards and practice terrorism drills – it is a ridiculous, dystopian reality, and we should not become desensitised to it or allow the authorities to accept it as normal. Will the police take action against the instigator, or is that too much to hope for?”

A spokesperson for the Met police said: “At around 10:15hrs on Tuesday, 20 January, police received a call from a school in Barnet reporting that a man purporting to be a teacher and speaking in Arabic had approached the front gate, spoken with security staff and sought to enter the premises but was not allowed to do so.

“Officers responded immediately and arrived on scene at 10:24hrs. A man matching the description provided was quickly located and stopped by police. Officers engaged with school security staff, and at that stage no offences were disclosed or apparent and the man was subsequently allowed to leave.

“Officers were later informed that there was a recording of this incident – this was reviewed and they re-attended the school to speak again with security. The identity of the man has been confirmed and statements are being taken from relevant parties.

“We understand the impact of incidents like this on local communities and a thorough investigation is taking place to establish what happened.”

A CST spokesperson said: “CST is aware of a video circulating that shows an interaction involving a male outside a Jewish school. Both police and CST responded quickly. Police engaged with the individual, who is known to them, and they are continuing to investigate. The male has been arrested for an unrelated matter. CST is in ongoing contact with the police and follow‑up discussions are taking place.”