Bong Paris
Keir Starmer was warned anti-Semitism is a ‘national emergency’ after another terror attack in the heart of Britain’s Jewish community.
Israel told the Prime Minister he can ‘no longer claim this is under control’ after a knifeman stabbed two Jewish men in broad daylight.
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis demanded ‘meaningful action’ and Donald Trump’s anti-Semitism tsar said ‘enough is enough’ following the rampage.
Horror engulfed Golders Green, north London, shortly before lunchtime as Shloime Rand, 34, was stabbed in the chest, with the knife narrowly missing vital organs.
Minutes later, Moshe Shine, 76, was stabbed in the neck at a bus stop 400 yards away.
The 45-year-old suspect – who has a history of ‘serious violence and mental health issues’, Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley revealed – was eventually detained by Shomrim, a Jewish community security organisation, along with the police.
Graphic footage shows officers using a Taser to subdue him after he tried to stab them.
The Mail understands the suspect, a British national born in Somalia, was also known to the Government’s Prevent deradicalisation programme.
Last night relatives of Mr Rand and friends of Mr Shine said the men were recovering in hospital and medical staff said they were stable.
Yet while the US administration has contacted joint US-UK citizen Mr Rand and was said to be briefing the President, his family said the British Government had not been in touch.
‘I’ve reached out to the UK Government myself, but still haven’t heard back from anyone,’ Mr Rand’s sister, who asked not to be named, told the Daily Mail, adding that her brother came one centimetre from death.
The attack has provoked outrage at the Government following a series of anti-Semitic attacks in the area, with furious locals chanting ‘Starmer out’ at the scene yesterday. Sir Mark was also roundly heckled with boos and shouts of ‘resign’ and ‘shame on you’.
Protesters chanted ‘Keir Starmer, Jew harmer’ and ‘shame on Sadiq Khan’.
It comes just a month after four Jewish community ambulances were torched a stone’s throw from yesterday’s stabbings in an attack linked to an Iran terror group.
On Monday there was an arson attack on a memorial to Iranian protesters a street away from the knifing, and last week there were further attacks against Jewish people in Slough and Watford.
Jonathan Hall, the independent reviewer of terror legislation, warned that anti-Semitic attacks amounted to the ‘biggest national security emergency since Covid’.
Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch said: ‘Jewish people in our country are under constant attack. This is no longer a growing pattern.
‘There is an epidemic of violence against Jewish people.
‘It is now a national emergency and needs to be treated as such by the Government and public authorities.’
She added: ‘I’m not the head of the police, I’m not the Prime Minister, but I can see there are certain things that are fuelling this and we need to drain the swamp.’
The Jewish community demanded an end to hate marches that have become a regular sight in London and a ‘zero tolerance to any anti-Semitism’ on university campuses.
Outrage boiled over as political leaders put out predictable statements sharing ‘concerns,’ without any clear plan of action.
Sir Keir, who called a Cobra meeting yesterday, told the Commons: ‘It is deeply concerning to everyone in this House.
‘There is now a police investigation and I think we all need to do everything we can to support that investigation.’
He said he would visit the scene ‘as soon as possible’ and condemned the ‘appalling attack’.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood pledged that the Government would ‘strain every sinew’ to keep Jewish people safe while London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan shared outrage and offered support before adding: ‘There must be absolutely no place for anti-Semitism in society.’
There was also anger at Green Party leader Zack Polanski who only last week suggested fears of anti-Semitic attacks may just be a ‘perception of unsafety’ and not ‘actual unsafety’.
As the attack was unfolding yesterday, the Government was announcing yet another consultation over anti-Semitism.
With news breaking of the stabbing, a press release was sent out calling for ‘students, parents and teachers to share their experiences of anti-Semitism’ for an independent review.
Responding furiously, the Israeli foreign ministry shared graphic video footage of the attacks which showed Mr Shine being stabbed at the bus stop and said: ‘Enough words.’
It wrote on X: ‘After attacks on synagogues, Jewish institutions, community ambulances and now Jews targeted in Golders Green, the UK Government can no longer claim this is under control.
‘Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s statements are no substitute for confronting the roots of anti-Semitism festering across the United Kingdom.
‘British Jews should not need security patrols and emergency volunteers to live openly as Jews. Enough words. The UK must act decisively and urgently.’
Benjamin Netanyahu’s office added: ‘Weakness gaslights one anti-Semitic attack after another in London. Words are not enough to confront this scourge.
‘We demand and expect action by the British Government to protect the Jews of England and bring anti-Semites to justice.’
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim added: ‘Following the anti-Semitic stabbing of two Jewish people on the streets of Golders Green this morning, words of condemnation are no longer sufficient.
‘This must be a moment that demands meaningful action from every institution, every community, every leader, and every decent person in our country.’
The King last night said he was ‘deeply concerned’ for the Jewish community and sent his ‘thoughts and prayers’ to the victims as he praised those who ‘so selflessly rushed to their aid’.
The Community Security Trust said it would be ‘increasing security measures even further’ in the coming days. Police in Manchester are also stepping up patrols.
Source: Dailymail.co.uk | Read the Full Story…
