A 22-year-old Jewish man who came to London from Israel was allegedly attacked by a group of men in Golders Green, north London, early on Monday. The Metropolitan Police have launched an investigation and are treating the case as an anti-Semitic hate crime.According to the BBC, the victim suffered injuries to his face, neck and back and was taken to hospital for treatment before later being released. The Metropolitan Police said officers were called just after 2am to reports of an attack on a Jewish man by multiple attackers.
‘They kicked me like animals’
Speaking to the BBC, the victim recalled the brutal attack: “They kicked me like an animal and didn’t stop. They were shouting ‘Are you Jewish? I was thinking they could kill me.’The man alleged that when he was talking to friends on the phone, about five people attacked him. He claimed that the attackers abused him, tore his trousers and left him with only one shoe during the attack.
Victim believes he was targeted because he speaks Hebrew
The victim told the BBC that he believed he was specifically targeted because he spoke Hebrew and looked Jewish. He said that despite hearing about recent anti-Semitic incidents in London, he already felt safe in the city.He said, “It was a very distant thing for me and I felt safe. But now that it has happened to me, I think some big changes are needed in London and Europe.”The Metropolitan Police confirmed that an investigation into the attack was ongoing and appealed for witnesses to come forward. No arrests have been made yet.
Increase in anti-Semitic incidents
It comes amid growing concern over anti-Semitic attacks in London, particularly after a series of attacks targeting Jewish sites in the capital, including a stabbing and arson attack in Golders Green last month.The Community Safety Trust, a Jewish charity, described the incident as a “violent and appalling attack”.Earlier this month, the Met Police announced a new community protection team comprising 100 extra officers to help protect London’s Jewish communities.