Police investigating new ‘violent attack’ in Golders Green as antisemitic hate crime

Police are understood to be searching for the assailants behind a physical attack on a Jewish man which took place in Golders Green in the early hours of Monday morning, treating the incident, which left the victim with cuts and bruises to his face and body, as an antisemitic hate crime.

The 22 year old man, named as Shalev Ben-Yakar, is understood to have stepped outside an apartment in Golders Green to take a phone call, so as not to disturb his flatmates. According to a description which has been widely circulated within the Jewish community today, “While speaking Hebrew, five masked men walking nearby heard him and suddenly began chasing him.

“They caught him, dragged him across the road and brutally beat him until he was close to losing consciousness. They tore his clothes, threw away his shoes, and shouted abuse at him in Arabic.

“Thankfully, a neighbour heard the commotion and called the police. The attackers fled before officers arrived.”

The message ends with a plea to “parents of teenagers and young adults coming home late at night… speak to your children about staying alert and aware of their surroundings. Encourage them to avoid walking alone where possible, keep their phones charged, and save both police and CST emergency numbers.”

Golders Green contains one of the largest Jewish populations of any area in the country, and has been the site of a number of attacks over the last few months, including the firebombing of Hatzola ambulances as well as last month’s stabbing attack, where two Jewish men were injured. Last year a man was arrested after a series of incidents in which excrement was smeared on the entrances of synagogues in the neighbourhood.

Sarah Sackman, MP for Finchley and Golders Green, said: “The reports of an assault on a Jewish constituent in Golders Green last night are intolerable. I understand that the Police are investigating this as a hate crime and I have raised it in a meeting with Met Police Commissioner Mark Rowley today. The Police are appealing for witnesses and I would urge anyone with information to come forward. The recent spate of antisemitic attacks and terror have struck fear into the heart of our community and I am pushing for more action at every level.”

A CST spokesperson said: “This was a violent and appalling attack in the heart of Golders Green. The incident is being treated by the Metropolitan Police as an antisemitic hate crime, and we thank them for their swift response. CST is providing support to the victim and his family. We urge anyone who witnessed what happened, to contact the police and CST immediately. At a time of heightened antisemitism, incidents like this underline the very real dangers facing Jewish communities.”

A JLC spokesperson said: “This is yet another appalling attack in the heart of the Jewish community in Golders Green. Our thoughts are with the victim and his family. There must be a robust response from law enforcement which demonstrates that those who violently attack Jews will face the full force of the law.”

A Met police spokesperson said: “Police were called at 02:05hrs on Monday, 18 May following reports that a Jewish man had been assaulted by a number of men outside a property on The Grove, NW11.

“Officers attended within six minutes and spoke to the victim, a man in his 20s, who later attended hospital with injuries to his face and back.

“The assault is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime. No arrests have been made at this stage and police enquiries continue.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting CAD 542/18MAY.”