Man charged after alleged antisemitic assault outside Hendon synagogue on Shavuot
Police say suspect faces religiously aggravated assault charges after two visibly Jewish men were attacked outside Beis Gavriel
A man has been charged after two visibly Jewish men were allegedly assaulted outside a synagogue in Hendon during Shavuot.
The Metropolitan Police said officers were called to an incident outside Beis Gavriel synagogue at around 9pm on 21 May following reports of an assault.
Police confirmed that 25-year-old Daniel Nikzamir, from Sunningfields Road in Hendon, has since been charged with two counts of racially or religiously aggravated assault by beating, one count of assault by beating, religiously aggravated criminal damage and criminal damage.
According to police, the two victims were attacked outside the synagogue before members of the public detained the suspect until officers arrived at the scene.
One of the victims reportedly suffered cuts and bruising after his glasses were broken during the assault, according to the Daily Mail. No serious injuries were reported.
Nikzamir appeared before Willesden Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, where he pleaded not guilty. He was released on bail and is due to appear at Harrow Crown Court on 22 June.
The alleged attack comes amid continuing concern over rising antisemitic incidents across London following a series of attacks targeting Jewish individuals, businesses and communal sites in recent months.
Detective Superintendent Will Lexton-Jones, from the Metropolitan Police, said: “Incidents of this nature rightly cause concern in the community.
“We continue to offer support to local residents, particularly to the two men who were victims of this alleged attack.”