WANTED: Police hunt racist yob who attacked Jewish woman as she put up hostage posters
Officers appeal for information after victim was pushed to the ground in Primrose Hill, north London, on Thursday
Police have begun an investigation after a woman putting up posters of the missing hostages taken by Hamas was pushed to the ground in Primrose Hill in north London on Thursday evening.
The woman was part of a group of five British Jews and Israelis trying to raise awareness of those still being held captive when a man approached and threatened them, before physically assaulting one of the group.
The victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, told Jewish News: “He pushed me to the ground and grabbed my phone and started walking away with it. But there was no way I was going to let him get my phone. Somehow I managed to get up and chase him to get my phone back and someone from the group stepped in to help me.”
An ambulance was called for the victim, who hurt her elbow and is awaiting a scan on a suspected fractured wrist.
She said: “I was shocked as it happened so quickly. We didn’t expect this to happen in Primrose Hill. I had been there previously a week before putting up posters in the same spot and we had received so much support from passers by. That’s why I suggested we go back there.
“I feel like yesterday evening was the worst by far of what we had experienced in terms of antisemitism.”
Earlier that evening, the group had been hanging posters outside Camden Town tube station when they were approached by a woman professing her support for Hezbollah, the banned terror group.
The group called the police and waited in a shop until they arrived. After giving their statements they decided to move on to Primrose Hill, which they deemed quieter and safer.
“After the first incident we ran into JD Sports to wait for the police, then we had to run into Chalk Farm Tube Station to wait for the police.
“After yesterday evening, I feel like it’s 1930s Nazi Germany in terms of the extent of Jew hatred and the hostility. I’ve never had to confront so much intensity of hatred right in front of my face.
“The confidence of the attacker was staggering. He looked like he didn’t have a care in the world about the implications of his actions.”
Video footage of the attack, posted on X by Campaign Against Antisemitism, also shows the attacker walking away saying: “F**ing Zionist piece of sh**, I f***ng hate Zionists.”
Campaign Against Antisemitism are offering a £5,000 reward for information leading to a conviction. The Metropolitan Police Camden said they are “investigating an incident that took place at around 20:30 on Thursday 21 December on the bridge at the junction of Gloucester Avenue and Regents Park Road in Camden.
“A group were putting up posters of hostages held by Hamas were approached by a man who threatened them, before physically assaulting one of the group.
“The suspect made off and the group went to Chalk Farm Underground Station for their own safety.
“Officers were called and attended. An investigation is under way.”
Another member of the group, who also wishes to remain anonymous, said: “I have put up posters before and it’s mainly been positive responses from people or if negative, it’s been people swearing or shouting or denying the atrocities of 7 October, but what happened last night was by far the worst. We have heard of a few other violent incidents but this is the only one that we have seen documented.
“It was extremely upsetting and I was so upset about what happened to my friend, who was so viciously assaulted and also extremely upset about the general feeling of fear among Jewish people in the UK at the moment.
“When I was giving a statement to the police I told them that I see a clear connection between the anti Israel rallies taking place and the hate speech on the streets. I believe the government is failing the Jewish community in the UK by not encouraging the police to take stronger action. The police who responded to this incident and the previous one were very empathetic and understanding of the needs of the Jewish community.”
A CST spokesperson said: “CST has taken reports of two antisemitic incidents last night affecting a group of people putting up posters of hostages being held in Gaza. One of these incidents involved a violent assault. It is appalling that people engaged in peaceful activities were attacked in this way and we will work with the victims and police to try to identify the perpetrators. If anyone has any information that might help the investigation, please contact the police and CST.”
Anyone with information should call 101, giving the reference 6941/21DEC. Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers, anonymously, by calling 0800 555 111.
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.
