UK police probe video of antisemitic abuse hurled from cars

UK police probe video of antisemitic abuse hurled from cars
The footage appears to show several cars adorned with Palestinian flags driving through an area of north London with a large Jewish population.
2 min read
16 May, 2021
The footage appears to show several cars adorned with Palestinian flags [Twitter]
British police were investigating videos posted on social media on Sunday that appeared to show violent antisemitic language being shouted from a convoy of cars driving through London.

The footage appears to show several cars adorned with Palestinian flags driving through an area of north London with a large Jewish population.

At one point a man’s voice can be heard through a loudspeaker shouting profanities and saying "rape their daughters".

"We are aware of a video appearing to show antisemitic language being shouted from a convoy of cars in the St John’s Wood area this afternoon," the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.

"Officers are carrying out urgent enquiries to identify those responsible. This sort of behavior will not be tolerated."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemned the images.

"There is no place for antisemitism in our society," he said on Twitter. "I stand with Britain's Jews who should not have to endure the type of shameful racism we have seen today."

Many also took to Twitter to voice their outrage at the videos.

"This kind of disgusting antisemitism on the streets of London is outrageous and only undermines the Palestinian cause," tweeted Nick Lowles, chief executive of 'HOPE not hate', the UK's largest anti-racism and anti-extremism.

"Emotions are running high about what's happening in Israel and Gaza right now, but blaming and targeting
British Jews and Muslims is totally unacceptable."

Another user said: "British Jews are not responsible for the policies of the state of Israel."

Another said: "Irony is that I've seen loads of posts from British Jews advocating solidarity with Palestinians. People need to learn to seperate Judaism (a religion) and Israel (a country of predominantly Jewish faith)."

On Saturday, tens of of thousands of demonstrators gathered outside the Israeli Embassy in London to protest Israel's strikes on Gaza during a week of conflict. It was one of scores of protests around the world.

At least 202 Palestinians, including 52 children and eight Israelis have been killed in the worst Israeli-Palestinian violence since a 50-day war in Gaza in 2014.

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