UK’s Jewish community scared after stabbing of 2 men, wants protection

LONDON, U.K.: A day after an attacker stabbed two men ​in the street, British Jews in the north London suburb of Golders Green are scared and angry at the government, and wondering whether they need to leave the country.

Members of the Jewish community said they want Keir Starmer to show he can tackle the root causes of rising antisemitic attacks and ensure their safety.

Shloime Rand, one of the men injured in the attack on April 29, said that people in the community feel scared and uneasy walking outside and believe the government is not doing enough. Both victims are now in stable condition.

The April 29 stabbing was the most serious in a series of recent attacks targeting Jews in London, and it came less than a year after a deadly synagogue attack in Manchester.

Starmer, whose wife is Jewish, has promised more funding for community policing groups, including one that helped stop the attacker, and said new laws would aim to prevent hostile foreign actors from using others to carry out attacks. He said that the government must address the underlying causes of antisemitism and extremism.

Some people felt the government's response was repetitive and not strong enough. A front-page article in Jewish News criticized what it described as predictable political reactions, using standard statements of support.

A local lawmaker and London's police chief were interrupted by members of the public while speaking to the media.

David Pearl, 69, said that it remains to be seen whether the government will take meaningful action and suggested people should not expect quick change. He added that he no longer feels safe and would consider leaving Britain, although his children want to stay.

Calev Swabel, 21, said he understood these concerns but still felt strongly about his identity. He said that he loves England and is proud to be both British and Jewish, but admitted the situation now worries him in a way it never had before.

The incident comes just before local elections on May 7, where Starmer's Labour Party is expected to lose support, partly due to criticism from both centrist voters and its traditional left-wing base.

Starmer visited the area on April 30 and was met by a small group of protesters shouting criticism. Political rivals also visited quickly, accusing the government of failing to act.

Kemi Badenoch called antisemitism a national emergency, while Nigel Farage said the concerns of British Jews had been overlooked to avoid upsetting parts of Labour's support base. He said that the government may have prioritized electoral interests over doing what is right.

Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood said that large pro-Palestinian protests have increased pressure on the Jewish community, but the government has tried to manage them.

She added that people of all faiths should speak out against antisemitism and said her stance against it is consistent with her beliefs as a Muslim. She stressed that everyone in the country, including Jewish and Muslim communities, deserves safety and security.

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