UK
Woman putting up hostage posters in London kicked as attacker shouts ‘are you a Zionist?’
The group, which the female volunteer was part of, said they would not stop putting up hostage posters
December 22, 2023 15:48
The group, which the female volunteer was part of, said they would not stop putting up hostage posters
December 22, 2023 15:48Jewish volunteers were physically and verbally attacked as they put up posters of missing hostages.
One man pushed a woman to the floor and kicked her in one incident on Thursday. In a separate one, a woman said she supported the proscribed terror group Hezbollah whilst confronting several volunteers.
During the first incident in Chalk Farm, a male suspect approached a group of five volunteers who were putting up posters.
According to video footage obtained by the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA), he told them: “I will slap your face. I will slap your face right now, you understand? If you film me as well, I’ll slap you.”
He asked the group four times: “Are you a Zionist?” before he pushed a woman to the ground and kicked her.
A witness said the man targeted a visibly religious woman. They added: “He proceeded to throw the woman to the ground twice, smash her phone and repeatedly strike her face.”
She had to be treated by paramedics.
The same group of volunteers were also confronted by a woman outside Camden Town Station earlier on Thursday.
The woman asked the group “Are you Zionist” and then said: “I’m pro-Hezbollah. Long live Hezbollah. Long live Palestine."
Reward for information leading to conviction*: £5,000
— Campaign Against Antisemitism (@antisemitism) December 22, 2023
Do you know this man? If so, please contact police on 101 or investigations@antisemitism.org.
CAD: 6941/21Dec23
At on 21st December, there was an assault on a group of Jewish people in North West London on the bridge… pic.twitter.com/tBRymw1oDf
The woman said: “The State of Israel shouldn't be a state.” She told the group: “Don’t go spreading your propaganda here.” A passerby added: “It’s all Zionist propaganda.”
The group went into a nearby shop where they hid before they were escorted away from the scene by the police.
A spokesperson for the group told the JC: “Lately things have got more violent and hostile. Attacks against us are becoming more common.
“There is a there is a link between the hate marches we see every week, with people shouting ‘intifada’ and ‘khaybar khaybar ya yahud’ (a chant which the CST said is a call for Jews to be killed). These embolden violence. We saw that this man did not hesitate to assault a Jewish woman.”
The group said they would not stop putting up hostage posters and added: “We will continue being proud Jews. We will continue our fight for the hostages. We will continue to stand in solidarity with Israel.” The spokesperson urged anyone putting up posters of the hostages to do so in groups.
A spokesperson for the CST 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.”
A Met Police spokesperson said: “Officers are investigating an incident that took place at around 20:30hrs on Thursday, 21 December on the bridge at the junction of Gloucester Avenue and Regents Park Road in Camden.
“A group who 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.
“Anyone with information should call 101, giving the reference 6941/21DEC. Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers, anonymously, by calling 0800 555 111.”