Met launch ‘antisemitic hate crime’ probe after attack on three Israelis
A gang of up to 20 men took part in alleged assault after Israelis were overheard speaking Hebrew in Leicester Square
The Metropolitan Police have launched an investigation into an “antisemitic hate crime” after three Israelis were physically assaulted in London’s Leicester Square by a group of up to 20 thugs who overheard them speaking Hebrew.
The three, who included a woman, were confronted by a large group of males in the early hours of Sunday, who allegedly spotted one of the males wearing a kippah.
The Israelis later said they were punched in the head and neck by the gang who chanted “free Palestine” before they carried out the assault. The attack took place at around 1.30am on Sunday.
The female victim, who gave her name as Tehilla, told the Daily Telegraph newspaper that the group were speaking Hebrew when men confronted them asking ‘are you Jewish?’
The 28-year-old told the paper: “I said, ‘Yes, I’m Jewish,’ and then they started chanting ‘free Palestine’, and f*** Jews, all this kind of swearing at us.
“So we just tried not to get into trouble, to walk away, but they started following us and then all of a sudden, it started with like two or three guys, and all of a sudden, they called all their friends and 15 to 20 guys started attacking us physically.”
https://twitter.com/HenMazzig/status/1749103662679359498
Photographs posted on social media showed a male victim with a visible bruise on the side of his head.
Tehilla was also shown with a wound to her knee.
In a statement the Metropolitan Police confirmed it had taken them 28 minutes to respond to a call about the incident.
Detective Supt Lucy O’Connor said: “We are investigating this incident as an antisemitic hate crime.
“I know how upsetting such inexcusable violence is for anyone who was injured or who witnessed the incident, and also for the wider community. I share their concerns.
“Officers arrived at the scene some 28 minutes after they were called. Of course, I wish we could have come to their aid sooner.
“The police investigation will now focus on speaking with the woman and any other victims or witnesses, as well as following up all lines of enquiry including analysis of CCTV. I urge any witnesses to get in touch.
“I can assure Londoners, tackling anti-Semitic crime is a priority for the Met. There is no place for hate in our city.”
A spokesperson for the Met added that police were called at 1.37am to reports woman was assaulted in the area of Leicester Square, who said she did no need an ambulance.
It said: “The caller stated that she did not require an ambulance.
“Officers attended the location, arriving shortly after 02:00hrs, at which point all parties had left the scene.
“We understand that a woman subsequently attended hospital for treatment.
“The incident is being treated as a hate crime. Officers will speak with the victim to take a statement and identify any other victims and witnesses.
“A full investigation, which will include analysis of CCTV from the area, will be led by officers from the Met’s Central West BCU.”
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan added: “Antisemitism will not be tolerated in our city. I’m appalled by reports of an antisemitic incident in Leicester Square over the weekend. The Met Police are now investigating it as a hate crime.
“I urge you to report any information you have about this incident”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
