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Police arrest Italian neo-Nazis who allegedly called for attacks on Jews and plotted to bomb NATO site

Police in Italy have arrested twelve neo-Nazis who allegedly called for attacks on Jews and plotted to bomb a NATO site.

A Carabinieri Police statement said that those involved ranged from ages 26 to 62 and went under the name “Ordine Ario Romano” on Facebook and the Russian social network VK.

The group were said to have posted content “inspired by Nazi, antisemitic and Holocaust-denial ideologies, as well as by anti-Jewish conspiracy theories.” This extended to calling for attacks against Jews and foreigners.

Along with far-right inviduals from Portugal, they were also planning an attack on a NATO site by using homemade explosives.

They have been charged with “criminal association aimed at spreading propaganda” and “incitement with ethnic and racial discrimination motives.” They are also required to regularly check in with the police whilst the investigation is under way.

One of the individuals who is being investigated by the police is Francesca Rizzi, a 39-year-old woman previously investigated for “far-right extremism”.

Ms Rizzi has a Nazi eagle and swastika tattooed on her back and won a “Miss Hitler” contest which was organised by the VK network.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

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French parliamentary commission to investigate antisemitic murder of Sarah Halimi

It has been announced that a French Parliamentary commission of inquiry will be established in order to investigate the murder of Sarah Halimi.

In 2017, Ms Halimi, a 65-year-old Jewish woman, was murdered by her 27-year-old Muslim neighbour, Kobili Traoré, after he tortured her before pushing her out of a window to her death.

Mr Traoré was said to have yelled “Allah Akbar,” “I killed the shaitan,” which is an Arabic word for ‘devil’ or ‘demon’, along with antisemitic vitriol.

The welcome news was announced on 2nd June by the Union of Democrats and Independents (UDI), a centrist, liberal political party in France. French law states that each political party is allowed one chance per year to form a commission of inquiry, and the UDI has used their opportunity to investigate the murder of Sarah Halimi.

French-Israeli UDI member Meyer Habib was elected to form the commission. Mr Habib, a French Parliamentarian, said: “I’m thrilled to announce that in a few weeks, a Parliamentary commission of inquiry will be formed to look into the deficiencies surrounding the case of Sarah Halimi. The UDI party chose the proposal I submitted, in order to shed light on the affair. I will do…everything in my power to expose the truth.”

In April, France’s Court of Cassation ruled that Sarah Halimi’s killer could not be held to stand trial due to being high on cannabis whilst committing the murder. Last month, the Mayor of Paris has announced that a street in the French capital will be named for Ms Halimi, while the Jewish community has also called for action to be taken against a Facebook group created to support her murderer.

Campaign Against Antisemitism held a rally in solidarity with French Jews in opposition to the Court of Cassation’s ruling to let Sarah Halimi’s murderer go free.

The rally took place outside the French Embassy in Knightsbridge, with protesters holding placards bearing the words “J’accuse! Solidarity with French Jews” and “Je Suis Sarah Halimi”. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, attendance was by registration only, with all places taken within 24 hours of our announcing the rally, with a significant waiting-list. A further 10,000 supporters demanding justice for Sarah Halimi watched the event across Campaign Against Antisemitism’s social media channels.

The rally in London was part of a global movement of rallies in Paris, Marseille and other French cities, Tel Aviv, New York City, Miami and Los Angeles.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

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Jewish passers-by report that police stood by as demonstrator outside Israeli ambassador’s residence shouts “F””” the Jews”

Jewish passers-by have reported to Campaign Against Antisemitism that police stood by as a demonstrator shouted “F””” the Jews” outside the residence of the Israeli ambassador in London.

The witnesses did not see the demonstrator but described the voice as being that of a woman.

The incident took place at around 19:10 at a protest last night outside the residence.

This is not the first time in recent weeks that police officers have failed to act in the face of antisemitic hate crime or have participated in political protests in contravention of policing protocols. Campaign Against Antisemitism has submitted complaints in respect of the relevant officers.

Campaign Against Antisemitism is in discussions with the Metropolitan Police Service over this and other incidents.

Image credit: Google

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Police call for witnesses after Carlisle Castle daubed with antisemitic graffiti

Carlisle Castle has been daubed with antisemitic graffiti.

Cumbria Police are reportedly investigating the vandalism at the 900-year-old landmark near the border between England and Scotland as racially aggravated criminal damage.

The graffiti was discovered on 2nd June and the police are currently appealing for witnesses.

A police spokesman said: “Hate related incidents can have a serious impact on communities and individuals. There is no place for hate on the streets of Cumbria and these types of incidents are dealt with vigorously and appropriately.”

If you have any more information, please contact PC 2999 on 101, or report online at www.cumbria.police.uk/reportit, quoting incident 191 of 2nd June.

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s analysis of Home Office statistics shows that an average of over three hate crimes are directed at Jews every single day in England and Wales, with Jews almost four times more likely to be targets of hate crimes than any other faith group.

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CAA asks police to use Public Order Act powers to address threatened repeat of “Free Palestine” convoy after previous convoy involved in “Rape their daughters” incitement and car ramming

Campaign Against Antisemitism is asking the Metropolitan Police Service to use its powers under the Public Order Act 1986 to address the threat of the returning “Free Palestine” convoy, after the previous convoy drove through a Jewish neighbourhood shouting “F*** the Jews…rape their daughters” through megaphones.

Four men were arrested and bailed over that incident and an alleged antisemitic incident committed in Manchester before the convoy arrived in London.

In addition to this, a vehicle chased a Jewish mother down a London street and rammed her car whilst she was driving her four-year-old child to see friends.

The drivers were alleged to have been part of the same convoy of some 200 cars displaying Palestinian Authority flags, which is understood to have driven from Bradford, Sheffield and Leicester down the M1 motorway before veering into Hendon and Golders Green, two of North London’s Jewish neighbourhoods. According to witnesses, convoy participants shouted to Jewish passers-by “Free Palestine! Go back to Poland” and other antisemitic chants.

The returning convoy is due to leave Bradford on Saturday morning and arrive outside Number 10 Downing Street at 1pm.

Under sections 12 and 13 of the Public Order Act 1986, the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service may, with the consent of the Home Secretary, prohibit processions or impose specific conditions upon them.

A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “Less than one month after the ‘Free Palestine’ convoy drove through a Jewish area of London shouting “F*** the Jews…rape their daughters” and ramming a car where a mother was driving her four-year-old child, it is returning this weekend.

“We are in talks with the Metropolitan Police Service to use its powers under the Public Order Act to ensure that the malicious acts of hatred we saw last month do not reoccur and that they prioritise the safety of the Jewish community.”We are also having ongoing discussions with the Met regarding recent events, including the investigation into the previous convoy, to ensure that offenders are brought to justice.

“Protest is one thing, but intimidation and violent hatred have absolutely no place on our streets, and anyone victimising British Jews must face the full force of the law.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s analysis of Home Office statistics shows that an average of over three hate crimes are directed at Jews every single day in England and Wales, with Jews almost four times more likely to be targets of hate crimes than any other faith group.

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German police begin hunt for masked suspect in synagogue arson incident

German police have begun a hunt for a masked suspect who is believed to have been involved in an arson outside a synagogue in Ulm.

The masked suspect, a male, was allegedly seen pouring a flammable liquid outside of the synagogue and setting it alight.

The synagogue’s interior was not damaged. However, the building’s exterior was covered in soot and a pane of glass was damaged.

Baden-Württemberg’s State Premier Winfried Kretschmann said: “It shows the insidious face of antisemitism, which we oppose clearly and unambiguously.”

Baden-Württemberg’s Office of Criminal Investigation (LKA) sent cybercrime and forensic experts to Ulm to investigate, security in the city has been increased and consultations with the city’s residents are believed to be ongoing.

Ulm’s synagogue was orginally destroyed in 1938 during the Kristallnacht pogroms and was only reopened in 2012.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

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After CAA investigation Graham Hart pleads guilty to eight charges of producing a programme with intent or likely to stir up racial hatred

A Cornish man has pleaded guilty to eight charges under the Public Order Act 1986 after investigations by Campaign Against Antisemitism prompted action by Devon and Cornwall Police.

Graham Hart, 69, of Penponds, Camborne, was charged earlier this year with five counts of using offending words or behaviour in a programme involving threatening, abusive or insulting visual images or sounds which was included in a programme produced with intent or likely to stir up racial hatred.

Three further charges arose from comments that Mr Hart made on another radio show in late December 2020.

Mr Hart pleaded guilty to all counts today of producing a programme with intent or likely to stir up racial hatred at Truro Crown Court. The Judge, HHJ Linford, noted that these are serious offences and scheduled a sentencing hearing for 6th August, pending a psychiatric report. The judge warned Mr Hart that he “should anticipate an immediate sentence of imprisonment”. The maximum sentence for each of these charges is seven years in prison.

We will be providing further information following sentencing.

Stephen Silverman, Director of Investigations and Enforcement at Campaign Against Antisemitism, said: “Thanks to the diligence of Devon and Cornwall Police, who acted on our investigations, Graham Hart has pleaded guilty to eight very serious charges of inciting racial hatred. The offences constitute some of the most extreme hatred towards Jews that we have ever encountered. It is vital that the Jewish community is protected from this man, and we hope that the sentence will also send a message to like-minded people that hate towards British Jews will not be tolerated.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s analysis of Home Office statistics shows that an average of over three hate crimes are directed at Jews every single day in England and Wales, with Jews almost four times more likely to be targets of hate crimes than any other faith group.

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Synagogue shot at and Holocaust mass grave raided in Ukraine

In Ukraine, a synagogue has been found with bullet holes and a mass grave for Holocaust victims has been robbed and desecrated in two separate incidents.

The synagogue in Kremenchuk was reportedly shot at last month, but was only reported on 30th May in order to avoid panic amongst the Jewish community.

Eduard Dolinsky, the Director of the Ukrainian Jewish Committee, uploaded photographs, where a window can be seen with a bullet hole, to Facebook.

There were no injuries in the incident.

Mr Dolinsky also uploaded photographs of the desecrated grave in the village of Pikov, where Bones can be seen protruding from the earth.

He wrote: “Nazis and local collaborators shot more than a thousand Jews, including women and children in May 1942 there. Now some people who have lost their humanity are looking for gold in their grave.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

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Jewish teacher physically abused after pupils “competed” to stick Palestinian Authority flags on their hair and clothing

A Jewish teacher at a non-Jewish school was physically abused after their pupils “competed” to stick Palestinian Authority flags on their hair and clothing, it was reported this week.

The teacher, who chose to remain anonymous, said that they were targeted because they were Jewish, and immediately resigned following the incident.

They said: “The whole school was full of Palestine flags, the pupils all began shouting ‘Free Palestine’.

“At the beginning, I thought they were just making a statement for all the teachers, but then I realised it was targeted to me and other teachers that are Jewish.”

Detailing the incident, they went on to say: “They [the pupils] were trying to stick Free Palestine stickers in my hair, I broke into tears, I couldn’t take my class that morning.”

The teacher claims that the school’s senior leadership offered no support whatsoever.

Recently, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson wrote to schools demand that they act against antisemitism and the politicisation of classrooms.

A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “We applaud the Education Secretary for raising awareness of antisemitism in schools. We have received multiple reports of antisemitic incidents targeting Jewish pupils and teachers, and just last week one Jewish school advised its pupils to conceal garments that might identify them as Jewish. We recently published a short resource for parents and schoolchildren who encounter anti-Jewish hate, and we continue to urge the community to be vigilant and to report any incidents.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism recently published a short resource on “What to do about antisemitism at school” for children and parents, which helps identify antisemitism using the International Definition of Antisemitism and provides pointers on how to act when antisemitic incidents arise.

Do you or your friends/family have stories of schoolteachers or pupils facing antisemitism at schools in the UK? We have received a significant number of reports and the Incident Response colleagues would be keen to hear of further examples if you could share them. Contact us at [email protected] or call +44 (0)330 822 0321.

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Jewish children’s school bus featuring religious memorabilia has its tyres slashed in Stamford Hill

A Jewish children’s school bus that featured religious memorabilia has had its tyres slashed in Stamford Hill.

The incident took place on Vartry Road and was reported yesterday by Stamford Hill Shomrim, the Jewish volunteer neighbourhood watch patrol.

If you have any more information, please contact the police on 101 or Stamford Hill Shomrim on 0300 999 0123, quoting reference number: CHS 28842 02/06/21.

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s analysis of Home Office statistics shows that an average of over three hate crimes are directed at Jews every single day in England and Wales, with Jews almost four times more likely to be targets of hate crimes than any other faith group.

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Suspended nurse who described NHS as the “new Auschwitz” is permanently removed from Nursing and Midwifery Council register

A suspended nurse who reportedly described the NHS as the “new Auschwitz” has reportedly been permanently removed from the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register.

Kate Shemirani’s removal from the register comes after she was suspended as a registered nurse for eighteen months last July, pending an investigation into her past alleged comments on COVID-19 and 5G conspiracy theories.

However, it was reportedly decided last Friday by the NMC Fitness to Practise Committee that she would be permanently struck off from the register. Ms Shemrani can appeal this ruling in five years. In the meantime, however, she will be unable to practice as a registered nurse.

Last year, Ms Shemirani led protests against mask-wearing and lockdown restrictions, defending her use of comparisons to Auschwitz and Nazis. Ms Shemirani said at the time: “When I likened this to Auschwitz and the cattle trucks – you tell me the difference? Because the only time in history I could find where the doctors and nurses were able to end people’s lives was the nurses of the Third Reich. The nurses of the Third Reich are here today. I don’t care if they find it offensive. I find it offensive that our elderly have been murdered in care homes. Stop being a special snowflake and saying you’re offended. They are killing our elderly, our most vulnerable.”

It has also been reported that Ms Shemrani is a follower of the “Committee of 300” conspiracy theory, which over a century ago laid the foundations for the antisemitic fabrication, The Protocols of the Elders of Zion.

Ms Shemirani said: “Can I state the obvious. There is no covid19. It’s a scam. There is however contaminated vaccines, contaminated tests and a lovely direct energy weapon system being primed to activate those nano particles you have injected, ingested and inhaled.”

She has also claimed: “Without the help of the doctors and nurses, the extermination of Jews, gypsies, homosexuals, blacks, disabled… in the Holocaust could not have been executed…”

According to the JC, Ms Shemirani has also made frequent reference to the Jewish financier, philanthropist and controversial political activist, George Soros, who is often the target of antisemitic conspiracy theories.

Anti-lockdown and anti-vaccination networks have become known as hotbeds of antisemitic conspiracy theories and tropes.

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Essex Rabbi speaks about “frightening” antisemitism and worrying about his children identifying as Jewish in public

A senior Essex rabbi has spoken out about “frightening” incidents of antisemitism, as well as safety concerns regarding his children identifying as Jewish in public.

Noting the anxiety felt by both him and his community, Senior Rabbi Mordechai Wollenberg of Woodford Forest United Synagogue said: “My wife went to get her vaccine the other day and I went with her and it was the first time I thought, ‘Do I put a kippah on?’

“I thought, I don’t know who is going or who would be there and I felt slightly uncomfortable.”

Regarding his children, Rabbi Wollenberg said that he worried about his children identifying as Jewish, “because what has happened in recent weeks is very ugly.”

“Sentiments under the surface have come to the surface now. It’s not new, we have seen it before and it is happening again,” he added.

In the last few weeks, several members of the Jewish community have had to question whether they would continue to publicly identify as Jewish. Recently, a prominent Jewish school has advised its pupils to wear hats over their skullcaps and to cover their school blazers in public amid skyrocketing cases of antisemitism. These a fellow Essex rabbi being assaulted and hospitalised.

Speaking on this issue, Rabbi Wollenberg said: “I definitely feel there’s much more of an angst and I sense that as a community, for those of us most visible, which I am, we are primary targets of physical hate attacks. We have seen it happen and seen that change in recent weeks.”

“You still think, that could happen to me. I’m obviously Jewish and my kids are obviously Jewish. I don’t hate who I am but we are also a little careful. You have to take care and protect yourself outside,” he added.

Many Jews have been worried about being identified as such on public transport, including Rabbi Wollenberg’s son.

“My son was going out and was going to put on a mask when he was leaving and one of the masks had Hebrew on it that said ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’ and he said ‘I probably shouldn’t wear that on a tube, people will probably get a bit jumpy’ and that was really smart,” the Rabbi said.

The country has seen a number of rallies take place recently where several antisemitic signs and chants were present. Rabbi Wollenberg acknowledged this, while also stating that he believes that the demonstrations were organised with “good intentions.”

“We can all have our views as long as it doesn’t spill out into how we treat each other,” he said, adding: “The one thing that sticks out to me also is there is a peculiar double standard in our culture. Every liberal cause going, people jump on the bandwagon and Jews are the only minority who they will say ‘stop complaining’. If it was the other way around, it wouldn’t be like that. We say we feel threatened on the streets and feel uncomfortable and people say ‘sorry it’s our freedom of speech’.”

In recent weeks, there have been several videos of people issuing threats to Jewish people. Rabbi Wollenberg spoke about one in which he saw people allegedly chanting “kill the Jews” in Arabic.

He said: “I don’t know much Arabic but I know how you say ‘Kill the Jews’ and hearing people shouting that in tandem – they weren’t shouting ‘Kill Israelis’, they are saying ‘Kill the Jews’ and it’s happening now in our country and social media means we are all aware of it. That is very frightening. We know from Jewish history that we are often not taken seriously. People are making these threats, what happens next?

“If there’s a message to ‘go kill the Jews’ then someone will go do it. I have heard a lot from Jewish friends say it’s only a matter of time before someone dies. That doesn’t mean it is necessarily going to happen in Essex but nationally, it’s a disaster waiting to happen.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s analysis of Home Office statistics shows that an average of over three hate crimes are directed at Jews every single day in England and Wales, with Jews almost four times more likely to be targets of hate crimes than any other faith group.

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s Antisemitism Barometer 2020 showed that three in five British Jews believe that the authorities, in general, are not doing enough to address and punish antisemitism.

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Jewish man left injured and needing tetanus injection after repeat offenders set vicious dog upon him

A visibly Jewish man was left injured and needing a tetanus injection after repeat offenders set their vicious dog upon him.

The attack took place on Queen Elizabeth’s Walk in Stamford Hill and was reported by Stamford Hill Shomrim, the Jewish volunteer neighbourhood watch patrol.

Hackney Police are investigating the incident. If you have any more information, please contact the police on 101 or Stamford Hill Shomrim on 0300 999 0123, quoting reference number: 4612639/21.

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s analysis of Home Office statistics shows that an average of over three hate crimes are directed at Jews every single day in England and Wales, with Jews almost four times more likely to be targets of hate crimes than any other faith group.

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s Antisemitism Barometer 2020 showed that three in five British Jews believe that the authorities, in general, are not doing enough to address and punish antisemitism.

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Stamford Hill gang involved in three separate antisemitic incidents which involved attacking Jewish homes and issuing threats against Jewish families

It has been reported that a gang in Stamford Hill, understood to be operating on the Webb Estate, have been involved in three recent antisemitic incidents involving attacks Jewish homes and heinous threats against Jews.

The first incident took place on Craven Walk in Stamford Hill at the end of May, as four youths attacked the front door of a Jewish home (CAD 7646 30/05/21).

The second incident, also on Craven Walk the next day, involved the Webb Estate gang throwing rocks at Jewish homes (CAD 5790 31/05/21).

A third incident, reported today, saw the same gang sitting on a garden fence belonging to a Jewish person. The gang members swore at both the victim and her eight-year-old daughter, and then threatened to “blow up the house” (CAD 3728 02/06/21).

All three incidents were reported by Stamford Hill Shomrim, the Jewish volunteer neighbourhood watch patrol.

If you have any more information regarding any of these incidents, please contact the police on 101 or Stamford Hill Shomrim on 0300 999 0123, quoting the relevant reference number.

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s analysis of Home Office statistics shows that an average of over three hate crimes are directed at Jews every single day in England and Wales, with Jews almost four times more likely to be targets of hate crimes than any other faith group.

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s Antisemitism Barometer 2020 showed that three in five British Jews believe that the authorities, in general, are not doing enough to address and punish antisemitism.

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Los Angeles Police investigate after man caught on camera hurling concrete slab at synagogue window

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is investigating after a man was caught on camera hurling a concrete slab at a window of the Young Israel of Century City synagogue.

Security footage shows the man attempting, and failing, to throw the slab through the window twice before walking away.

The synagogue’s rabbi, Elazar Muskin, said of the incident: “We will not be frightened, by any act, by anyone. There’s no place in our society in this country, created and built on the principals of freedom of religion, for such acts of vandalism and of hate.”

The same suspect is also believed to have been responsible for a nearby incident in which a window was shattered at Pat’s Restaurant, a kosher steakhouse close to the synagogue.

Errol Fine, the restaurant’s owner, said: “They can break our windows but not our hearts or our resolve. We’re going to stand fast and continue.”

Recently, Los Angeles saw an attack on a group of Jewish men which took place outside the restaurant Sushi Fumi. Video footage shows a group of men in a car waving Palestinian Authority flags and yelling at diners outside the restaurant. They are later seen outside of the restaurant attacking the diners, reportedly having yelled antisemitic slurs. The attackers were said to have also thrown bottles and pepper sprayed a member of the public who tried to defend the Jewish diners, causing them to go to hospital.

The rise in attacks lead to the Biden administration condemning the surge in antisemitic violence across the United States.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

Image credit: Google

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Jewish patients and staff targeted in multiple cowardly antisemitic incidents at two London hospitals

Jewish patients and a staffer have been targeted in multiple antisemitic incidents at two London hospitals.

In one incident on Tuesday morning of this week, a staff member allegedly made a cutthroat death-threat gesture towards a Jewish patient, who was attending the Royal Free Hospital for a blood test. The patient reportedly noticed that the practitioner was wearing a Palestinian Authority flag on her jacket and a badge that read “Stop killing our children”.

The patient asked for a different practitioner to administer the test, but as she walked away the staffer “swiped her finger across her throat.” Campaign Against Antisemitism has been in contact with a witness and officials from the hospital.

The hospital is investigating the incident, and the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust said in a statement: “We do not tolerate racist or antisemitic behaviour of any kind, from anybody on our premises. The Royal Free London is proud of the rich diversity of the patients that we serve and we are taking these allegations extremely seriously. Although we have not received a formal complaint, we will investigate this matter thoroughly.

“We would urge anybody who experiences racist or antisemitic abuse in any of our hospitals to report it immediately to a member of our security team or to the patient advice and liaison service.”

However, this incident, which was highly publicised on social media, came barely a fortnight after a much less prominent incident at the same department in the same hospital. In that incident, another Jewish patient was also present for a blood test. The tests were being administered by a practitioner of reportedly Pakistani origin. When the Jewish patient came into the room, the practitioner left the room. The patient was reportedly told to wait to be tested, and in the meantime other patients were all being tested before him, including some who arrived later than he had.

Eventually, the patient asked a female attendant whether he would be seen, and she assured him that he would be seen imminently, and he then asked if he had not yet been seen because of prejudice, a question that the attendant, apparently now blushing, refused to address. The patient was deeply upset and immediately left the hospital, without being tested, despite the urgency of the test.

Eventually, after intervention by a senior staffer at the hospital, the patient returned to the hospital some days later and was seen immediately, but the case is reportedly being investigated.

Elsewhere, a Jewish staffer was the target of antisemitic abuse at the Royal London Hospital in East London. Hadasa Mayerfeld, 27, a Jewish neonatal intensive care nurse, reports that she was left “shaken” after being told by a man, “I want to kill all your people”.

The incident took place in on Tuesday in a hospital lift as a man noticed her Magen David necklace and shouted: “So you don’t support a free Palestine? How can someone who comes from people who kill all our innocent children get a job working here? I want to kill all your people, we need to kill all you people.”

A second man in the lift, apparently dressed in a religious Muslim garment, stood by and laughed.

The men are not believed to be employees of the hospital, but it is understood that Ms Mayerfeld will be submitting a formal complaint in the coming days. She said: “I spend hours on end caring for babies from all walks of life. Every race, every religion, every ethnicity. I care for each of them with so much love and devotion to give them all the care they need. Even at work I need to be scared to stand up for my religion and my beliefs.”

A spokesperson for Barts Health NHS Trust reportedly said: “We are investigating a distressing report of verbal abuse by visitors to The Royal London Hospital, and supporting the wellbeing of the nurse involved. We do not tolerate antisemitism, racism or abusive behaviour in our hospitals and are committed to making them safe places for all our communities.”

A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “Notwithstanding the ceasefire in Israel, we are continuing to see antisemitic incidents not only on the streets and online, but even in schools and hospitals. These cowardly perpetrators are targeting young people, vulnerable patients and heroic medical staff and teachers, which is utterly shameful. The Jewish community must continue to remain vigilant, and we call on the hospital trusts to conduct thorough investigations and ensure that racist abusers are appropriately sanctioned.”

Earlier this week, Campaign Against Antisemitism welcomed the statement by the British Medical Association (BMA) condemning antisemitism and racism.

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Antisemitic incidents persist across North London, despite ceasefire in Israel

Despite the ceasefire in Israel, ‘low-level’ antisemitic incidents that do not get media coverage are persisting in North London.

This week, a man yelled “f***ing Jews, f*** you, free Palestine”” outside Brent Cross Shopping Centre. The incident was reported by Shomrim North West London, the Jewish volunteer neighbourhood watch patrol.

Meanwhile, in Stamford Hill, provocative stickers featuring the flag of the Palestinian Authority and the phrase “Free Palestine” continue to be plastered on Jewish homes and businesses.

According to the International Definition of Antisemitism, “Holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the State of Israel” is an example of antisemitism.

These incidents come amid reports of the beating of patrons of a kosher restaurant, harassment of Jews on the street, the hacking of the social media account of a prominent Jewish charity, resignations by Jewish union members, antisemitic incidents at hospitals targeting Jewish patients and staff, and a Jewish school directing pupils to conceal clothing that may identify them as Jewish – all of which have taken place since the ceasefire.

Campaign Against Antisemitism continues to urge the Jewish community and its institutions to remain vigilant.

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s Antisemitism Barometer 2020 showed that three in five British Jews believe that the authorities, in general, are not doing enough to address and punish antisemitism.

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Antisemitic flyer appears in Livorno after city council adopts International Definition of Antisemitism

An antisemitic flyer was found on a street named in honour of Jewish victims of Nazism, in the Italian city of Livorno.

Shortly before the flyer appeared, the city council had adopted the International Definition of Antisemitism.

Above a hand clutching a cross, invoking the oldest and most persistent antisemitic trope, the flyer reads: “Via dei Palestinesi Vittime dei Sionismo Guidaico,” or “Street of Palestinian Victims of Jewish Zionism.”

The adoption by the north Italian city of the Definition was in response to a call by the President of the Italy-Israel Association after a Palestinian Authority flag appeared at the tomb of Mussolini’s wartime Foreign Minister and son-in-law, Galeazzo Ciano, as well as a separate incident in which port authorities and workers tried to prevent a ship setting sail for the Israeli port of Ashdod.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

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Anti-Israel YouTubers harass Jewish community in Golders Green over “child-killing” whilst displaying images of Holocaust as police look on

Three anti-Israel YouTubers filmed themselves harassing members of the Jewish community in Golders Green – to whom they appear to refer in the video’s title as “radical Israelis” – over “child-killing” last Saturday.

The video, the premise of which is initially outlined by one of the presenters as them just wanting to “have a dialogue…a discussion…a friendly debate,” quickly became an excuse for the presenters to accost passing members of the Jewish community, including children.

This involved one of the presenters, Ali Dawah, confronting Jewish passers-by with a microphone and asking: “Do you agree with what’s happening [in Israel]?”

Mr Dawah is also seen following and questioning a group of Jewish men and their children who are walking away from him.

When the YouTubers saw that Jews were crossing the street in order to avoid a confrontation, another one of the presenters, known as Smile2Jannah, commented: “The thing is, if somebody is being butchered in this way, the least you should be able to do is have a conversation. Provide your view. I mean, why would you cross the road and not be willing to engage?”

His co-host, Mohammed Hijab, then instructed the cameraperson to film them crossing the road, before Smile2Jannah said: “They should understand, they should realise that people want answers. People want to know your opinion, so go on record. Give your opinions. Discuss, debate.”

When a group of Jews walked past the YouTubers, declining to engage, Smile2Jannah told them: “You should really give your opinion about what’s going on, guys.”

At one point, the police asked what the cameras were for, at which point Mr Dawah explained that they were “raising awareness.” 

The YouTubers also brought with them an LED billboard, upon which they displayed images of Jewish Holocaust victims in a concentration camp. Next to the images were the words: “Did we learn nothing from the Holocaust?” The images were then proceeded by photos from the conflict between Israel and Gaza.

Standing in front of the billboard, Mr Hijab went on to say that “as Muslims”, they “have no problem with Jews, per-se,” before pressuring them to “reveal their viewpoints.”

Shouting at a Jewish man who was walking away, Mr Hijab yelled: “Do you condemn the killing of children? Do you condemn it? Do you condemn it? See, look at you. The silence is deafening.”

In an outtake from that video, uploaded to Mr Hijab’s own YouTube channel, Mr Hijab is seen acting aggressively towards another Jewish man off-camera, yelling: “You need to go back to the Torah. That’s what I tell you all. Go back to the Torah, read it from the beginning again.”

Abandoning all pretences that their video was ever solely about Israel, Mr Dawah states directly to camera: “The reason we came here today is to speak to our Jewish brothers and sisters, those who are Zionist or those who are not, and just ask how they feel…we’re using our freedom of speech to come and have a dialogue and say ‘what’s your say on the matter on what’s going on in Palestine?’”

Golders Green is a neighbourhood renowned for its large Jewish population. According to the International Definition of Antisemitism, “Holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the State of Israel” is an example of antisemitism. The program was also being filmed on the Jewish Sabbath, when many observant Jews do not wish to be filmed.

When questioned as to why the YouTubers chose to visit Golders Green on Shabbat, Mr Hijab denied that they went to Golders Green “looking for Jewish people”, but instead for “pro-Israeli Zionists.”

He also claimed that they used images of victims of the Holocaust in order to “demonstrate that just as the rest of the world watched on while Jewish people were brutally incinerated at the hands of fascists, so too it looks on whilst Arab Palestinians are brutally bombed in the most densely populated area in the world.”

According to the International Definition of Antisemitism, “Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis” is an example of antisemitism.

The video appears to show that the police stood by without interfering.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “Police are aware of a video circulating on social media of two men in Golders Green on Saturday, 22 May with a van displaying messages and images on a screen. Officers were called at approximately 19:28 and engaged with those present. No offences were identified. We have since been made aware of concerns that have been brought to our attention from the community and will liaise with the appropriate partners. Local officers had already increased patrols in the area in response to recent community concerns and will continue to provide additional reassurance in coming days.”

Recently, Campaign Against Antisemitism filed a complaint to the Directorate of Professional Standards at the Metropolitan Police after officers ignored antisemitic threats among demonstrators at a pro-Israel rally who were shouting: “We’ll find some Jews there. We want the Zionists. We want their blood!”

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s Antisemitism Barometer 2020 showed that three in five British Jews believe that the authorities, in general, are not doing enough to address and punish antisemitism.

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GMB union activist jailed for nine years after assaulting Jewish barrister in antisemitic attack, saying: “It’s always you f***ing people, you’re always the problem”

Dennis McNulty, a GBM union activist, has been jailed for nine years after he assaulted a Jewish barrister in an antisemitic attack and saying: “It’s always you f***ing people, you’re always the problem.”

Mr McNulty and Tim Ludbrook became embroiled in a heated political discussion in the King William IV pub in Hampstead in 2018. The debate then drifted into the tensions between Israel and Gaza, leading Mr Ludbrook to call Mr McNulty a “Hamas-loving b*****d.”

It was then revealed by Mr Ludbrook that he was Jewish, which apparently angered Mr McNulty even further.

Mr Ludbrook said: “He [McNulty] was swearing about the Tory government and intended to try and inflame the situation with his language and said: ‘You can’t support those f***ing c***s’.

“He must have thought I was supporting them because I am a Conservative and I told him: ‘Yes, I am Jewish and a supporter of Israel.’

“It was like lighting a blue touch paper and he said: ‘It’s always you f***ing people, you’re always the problem.’

“He said he was going to show what kind of f***ing person I was on social media and started recording with his phone.

“The really aggressive stuff started when he goaded me into revealing my ethnicity. He’s obviously got some view about Jews.”

Mr McNulty was ejected from the pub, but found Mr Ludbrook on the bench outside, upon which he attacked him, causing a broken nose and a torn retina.

“My nose was broken in two places and I was very lucky not to lose the sight in one eye,” Mr Ludbrook added.

“I will forever see him in that moment for the rest of my life. It is as clear as day, seared on my memory.

“There he was, bearing down at me and moments later he was striking me around the head from both sides and I don’t recall anything else until I came around.”

According to Judge John Dennis who spoke at Isleworth Crown Court, Mr Ludbrook required emergency surgery in order to save his eye.

Judge Dennis told McNulty: “During the discussion in the pub you became quite irate on the subject of Hamas and Mr Ludbrook being Jewish.

“You were affected by what was said and your goading of Mr Ludbrook was sufficient for him to lose his temper and he jumped up and had to be restrained and you had to be restrained. There was a religious background to this and you were provoked.”

However, Judge Dennis also added: “On the positive side I treat you as a man of good character and you come to the court as a relatively elderly defendant, who can say they have spent most of their life out of trouble. I put in your favour your record of good public works as a school keeper and forty years of work in the union, helping the weak and vulnerable.”

Mr McNulty will have to serve at least six out of his nine year sentence before he is considered for parole.

Recently, a former senior official from the GMB union allegedly referred to victims of antisemitism as “rich b****** Jews” in an appalling speech, sources claim.

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s analysis of Home Office statistics shows that an average of over three hate crimes are directed at Jews every single day in England and Wales, with Jews almost four times more likely to be targets of hate crimes than any other faith group.

Image credit: Google

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Campaign Against Antisemitism welcomes British Medical Association’s statement condemning antisemitism

Campaign Against Antisemitism welcomes the statement released by the British Medical Association (BMA) condemning antisemitism and racism.

The BMA is the trade union and professional body for doctors and medical students in Britain, and its statement comes in the wake of multiple instances of antisemitism over the past fortnight, which include mezuzahs being vandalised in Borehamwood, a rabbi in Essex being assaulted and hospitalised, and a convoy of cars that drove down the Finchley Road shouting “F*** the Jews…rape their daughters” through a megaphone.

In its statement, the BMA said: “Recent events internationally and in the UK have brought to the fore how differences in ethnicity, faith and culture can be used as a justification for hate and violence. Shameful acts of antisemitism and incitements to violence against Jewish people witnessed in recent days, on the streets of the UK and on social media, run contrary to a key ethical principle for doctors to do no harm. Antisemitism and racial discrimination harms people and harms communities. We empathise with the negative impact these events have had on our Jewish members. Therefore, we have and will continue to affirm that hate in all forms is unacceptable. Whether by doctors or towards doctors; from patients, other doctors, or any healthcare professional. Antisemitism and any form of racial discrimination is unacceptable and to maintain the trust of our patients and colleagues, the BMA affirms that we cannot achieve equality for some without equality for all.”

A spokesperson for the Jewish Medical Association told Campaign Against Antisemitism: “Racism – structural, institutional or plain and simple personal – can take many different forms and guises. Antisemitism is one type of racism. One doesn’t have to look different to be subject to racism. And doctors are at least as likely as anyone else to be subjected to racism, including antisemitism. Sadly, some doctors and some patients are perpetrators of antisemitism. Ignoring antisemitism as racism is unacceptable.

“Against this background, the Jewish Medical Association (UK), in supporting Jewish medical professionals and students in the UK, welcomes the forthright recognition of this issue by the British Medical Association in their recent statement. We are saddened that it has been necessary for the BMA to publish this statement about tolerance and respect, but it is clearly needed and we call upon other national organisations to adopt this as their model.”

Other unions have come under fire for their stance on recent antisemitism-infested demonstrations, with Jewish members quitting one union en masse in protest.

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Jewish school advises pupils to wear hats over their skullcaps and cover school blazers in public as reports of antisemitism skyrocket including violent assaults

A prominent Jewish school has advised its pupils to wear hats over their skullcaps and to cover their school blazers in public as reports of antisemitism have risen 568 percent within the last seventeen days, equating to some 267 reported incidents. Reported incidents are lower than actual incidents as reports can take time to process and many incidents go entirely unreported.

The letter from the school’s headmaster, which was sent out to parents, read: “I am writing to remind you and your children about the need for enhanced awareness and caution with regard to security in these troubled times. Of course, the news of the recent ceasefire was most welcome, but I fear that the tensions and the incidents of antisemitism in this country will be slow to decline.

“We still advise all boys to wear a cap over their kippah when travelling to and from school, but we are also now suggesting that not wearing the College blazer (or at least covering it with a coat) on those journeys is an additional, sensible precaution for all pupils.

“It is sad that this should be necessary, but safety is – as ever – our top priority.”

The rise in incidents come in the wake of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. These incidents include mezuzahs being vandalised in Borehamwood, a rabbi in Essex being assaulted and hospitalised, and a convoy of cars which drove down the Finchley Road shouting “F*** the Jews…rape their daughters” through a megaphone.

However, despite a ceasefire being announced last week, several more incidents were reported over the weekend. After a demonstration on Sunday in support of Israel, counter-demonstrators were seen roaming the surrounding streets looking for Jewish people to target.

Another incident which took place after the rally saw two visibly Jewish men assaulted outside of a kosher restaurant. A video uploaded to Twitter by the activist Joseph Cohen shows the alleged victims describing the assault. One said: “We crossed the street and the next thing we know, we turn around and they’re essentially swinging for us.”

The other added: “They connected a few punches…[we] got hit in the head, got kicked.”

A woman across the road invited them into her café where they then called the police.

We are continuing to hear of incidents and urge the Jewish community around the country to remain vigilant.

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s analysis of Home Office statistics shows that an average of over three hate crimes are directed at Jews every single day in England and Wales, with Jews almost four times more likely to be targets of hate crimes than any other faith group.

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s Antisemitism Barometer 2020 showed that three in five British Jews believe that the authorities, in general, are not doing enough to address and punish antisemitism.

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“Despicable” surge in antisemitism condemned by Biden administration as anti-Jewish violence rages across United States

The Biden administration has condemned the surge in antisemitic violence across the United States over the past two weeks.

In addition to the numerous, well-publicised incidents of violence in New York City – including the horrendous antisemitic beating of Joseph Borgen – and Los Angeles, there have been multiple further antisemitic incidents across the nation.

In Brooklyn, Jewish teenagers were surrounded by a gang who expressed antisemitic slurs before beating them, while elsewhere in the borough Jewish worshippers were targeted by assailants screaming “Kill the Jews!” and other antisemitic threats.

Luca Lewis, goalkeeper for New York Red Bulls football team, also recounted how “A group of 6-8 Palestinian men walk up to me and asked me where I was from. I responded and said ‘New York.’ Than one guy asks me if I was Jewish. I pause for a moment in confusion and thought about it, then I saw them withdrawing knives.” Mr Lewis then answered, “no.”

“The guy looked at me with such disgust in his eyes and said ‘Good.’ As I started walking away, I got extremely angry and felt like I had to say something,” Mr Lewis continued. “So I turned back around and said ‘what if I was Jewish?’”

He then described how the group of men walked up to him and the person who originally asked whether Mr Lewis was Jewish now threatened him: “I‘ll beat the f****n’ s*** out of you and kill you.’”

In Florida, police are investigating an incident in Bal Harbour near Miami Beach, where four men terrorised a Jewish group visiting from New Jersey. The visitors were Eric Orgen, his wife Karen, his 16-year-old daughter, and Mark Schwartz, the Deputy Mayor of Teaneck. The four had just left a synagogue when the men, said to be in their twenties, allegedly drove up to the family and began screaming antisemitic abuse, including “F*** you, Jew” and “Die Jew.” They also threatened to rape Mr Orgen’s wife and daughter. The abuse only stopped when a passer-by with a gun intervened, according to several reports.

In another incident in the state, at the Chabad of South Broward, a man yelled antisemitic abuse at the rabbi before leaving and allegedly returning a short time later to dump a bag of human faeces in front of the building. Mobile-phone video captured the man as he screamed abuse. As he dumped the bag in front of the synagogue, he allegedly yelled, “Jews should die,” and spat at a menorah, according to police.

Earlier, this month, a man was arrested after a van covered in antisemitic, pro-Nazi slogans was seen driving through Boca Raton and Miami.

In Utah, police are investigating the scrawling of a swastika into a synagogue door, while a first-year Jewish student at the University of New Mexico was hospitalised after being beaten, according to the victim, for wearing a t-shirt saying “Just Jew It”.

In Seattle, a Jewish activist recounted being assaulted at an anti-Israel rally.

In Berkeley, CA police have reportedly arrested a suspect accused of vandalising a Jewish synagogue and committing other antisemitic crimes. Antisemitic graffiti has also been sighted on the bicycle path from Will Rogers Beach to Venice.

These are just a sample of antisemitic incidents that have rocked the United States over the past two weeks, including violent beatings, assaults, threats, harassment and property damage. The incidents have taken place across the country in rallies, on the streets and online.

President Joe Biden said: “The recent attacks on the Jewish community are despicable, and they must stop. I condemn this hateful behaviour at home and abroad — it’s up to all of us to give hate no safe harbour.”

Vice President Kamala Harris added: “The surge in antisemitic attacks against the Jewish community in the U.S. and around the world is despicable—it must be called out, condemned, and stopped. As a country, we must stand united against hate of any kind.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

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Justin Trudeau says antisemitic intimidation and violence “must stop immediately” as Canada rocked by unprecedented wave of antisemitism during conflict between Hamas and Israel

Canada has been rocked by a significant increase in antisemitic incidents during the conflict between Hamas and Israel.

Recent demonstrations in support of different sides in the conflict have been tarnished by several antisemitic incidents. On the weekend of 15th May in Montreal, police had to intervene using tear gas after a rally in support of Israel was interrupted by counter-protesters. Rocks were thrown at pro-Israel demonstrators and several antisemitic slurs were said to have been used. Antisemitic signs featuring Nazi imagery were also spotted among the counter-protesters.

In the wake of the incident, Jewish residents of Montreal have been subjected to antisemitic harassment online and death threats.

A law student has revealed some of the shocking antisemitic messages which she has received online. “I hope you will die after being raped by your own kind…Zionist terrorist b**ch,” read one.

“I will love to kill you for no reason…you or your child,” another says.

In response to a photo uploaded to her Instagram, a user replied: “Hell for you is what awaits.”

Another message simply reads “salope”, meaning “slut,” while other messages joked about Adolf Hitler.

In Côte St. Luc, a suburb of Montreal with a sizeable Jewish population, two men aged nineteen and twenty were arrested for allegedly threatening the Jewish community. They were believed to have filmed themselves on Snapchat before and during their arrest. The video reportedly shows one of the men saying: “We’re going to Côte-Saint-Luc where all the Jews are…f**k Israel, bunch of Jews!”

The Mayor of Côte St. Luc, Mitchell Brownstein, denounced the antisemitism and encouraged other Canadian municipal leaders to do the same. Mayor Brownstein said: “All the leadership on both sides needs to, whatever your political opinions are, agree with the values of Canada, and the values of Quebec and denounce intimidation, prejudice, antisemitic remarks. There are people in my community that are concerned…I feel terrible when I hear people say that they’re afraid to outwardly show that they’re Jewish.”

Synagogues in the Montreal area now have added security, while police have increased their presence in areas with Jewish communities as a “preventative” measure.

Montreal’s Mayor, Valérie Plante, condemned the antisemitism, stating: “Montreal has the well-deserved reputation of being a city with different communities who live together in peace and security. Demonstrating is a right, but intolerance, violence and antisemitism have no place with us. Montreal is a city of peace.”

That same weekend, shocking scenes emerged out of a Toronto demonstration against Israel where two arrests were made. Several antisemitic incidents took place, including reports of sexual harassment and assault leading to hospitalisation.

An Israeli attendee claimed that “it got really terrifying” after he was chased by people brandishing sticks and rocks. Other reports state that glasses and stones were thrown at Jewish people by a mob yelling “Allahu Akbar.”

Two women driving in a car displaying an Israeli flag came under attack when their car was surrounded and jumped on. At one point demonstrators attempted to break the windscreen using flag poles. Their Israeli flag was taken and burned by demonstrators. One of the women said: “It was the scariest thing I’ve ever endured in my life.”

At the same demonstration, a Jewish girl who got caught up in the raucous mob was molested. A Twitter user who had reportedly spoken to the girl said that the victim recounted: “I yelled at them and one of them kicked me while another grabbed my breasts and made kissy noises. Then he ran off.”

There have been further incidents in Toronto. In Vaughan, police are reportedly investigating four cases of antisemitic banners over the past two weeks in various parts of Dufferin Street and Steeles Avenue area, while a Jewish customer was denied service at a U-Haul independent dealer.

The Mayor of Toronto, John Tory said: “Hate, antisemitism and violence have no place in our city.”

In Milton, a suburb of Toronto, hundreds reportedly participated in a rally where the antisemitic “Khaybar Khaybar, ya yahud, Jaish Muhammad, sa yahud” chant was heard. Translated in English as “Jews, remember the battle of Khaybar, the army of Muhammad is returning”, the chant is a classic Arabic battle cry referencing the massacre and expulsion of the Jews of the town of Khaybar in northwestern Arabia, now Saudi Arabia, in the year 628 CE.

The same antisemitic chant was also heard at a rally in Calgary.

However, recent antisemitism in Canada has not been limited to the protests, for example in Edmonton, where police are investigating after Jewish homes were targeted with antisemitic rhetoric and intimidation. According to the Jewish Federation of Edmonton, a car was “driving through the neighbourhood ‘seeking Jews,’ confronting people and making threats.”

According to one witness, as he was walking down his parents’ driveway at around 21:00, a car drove past from which several young men yelled “Free Palestine!” The car reportedly then looped back around and they asked: “Are there any Jews here? Any Jews live here? Where do the Jews live?”

Edmonton’s Police Chief Dale McFee said: “The Edmonton Police Service denounces any and all acts of hate; incidents such as these have no place in our city, and we do not tolerate acts of intimidation or violence. We understand these acts create feelings of fear within our communities, and as an organisation, we are committed to keeping people safe, and fostering a sense of safety for all Edmontonians.”

The antisemitic incidents were also condemned by Samer Elbekai, the President of the Canada Palestine Cultural Association. “Anytime there is comments like this, we oppose these things,” said Mr Elbekai. “You shouldn’t be judged based on your race, belief, religion. We don’t encourage anybody to go out and do this, we don’t support it…if there’s any rallies in the near future, we hope that people will protest in peace and respect the laws and respect each other across the city of Edmonton and across the country.”

Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, offered his support to Canada’s Jews. In a tweet, he wrote: “I am deeply disturbed by recent reports of antisemitic acts in Montreal and across the country. This intimidation and violence is absolutely unacceptable – and it must stop immediately. There is no place for hate of any kind in Canada.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

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Coroner who held up Jewish and Muslim burials with “discriminatory and irrational” policy forced to back down again over needless autopsy

Mary Hassell, the Senior Coroner who covers Inner North London, has withdrawn a controversial decision just one day before she would have had to defend it in court against an application for judicial review brought by a bereaved Jewish family.

Ms Hassell, who is well known in the Jewish community for her past controversial campaign to delay Jewish and Muslim burials in contravention of religious practice, has been caught up in yet another legal dispute turning on Jewish religious sensibilities.

As late as last week, Ms Hassell had insisted on carrying out a full invasive autopsy on an Orthodox Jewish woman, despite objections by the family on religious grounds that there should be no unnecessary desecration of a human body after death and burial should take place as soon as possible. But she has now changed her mind, on the eve of the hearing due to take place today.

In the meantime, her actions have caused anguish and distress to the grieving family, given that the cause of death was established by relevant medical practitioners as injuries sustained from a fall. Ms Hassell nevertheless wished to conduct an autopsy to determine whether the deceased had been “pushed”, despite the police having ruled out any suspicion of murder or any third-party involvement and notwithstanding that an invasive autopsy would in any event be very unlikely to prove whether the deceased had been pushed.

Trevor Asserson, acting for the claimant, said: “The present case would have almost certainly found her to have been discriminatory and irrational again.”

Mr Assersion was alluding to Ms Hassell’s track record of bad decisions struck down by the High Court for being discriminatory, irrational and wrongful.

A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “Mary Hassell seems to be making a habit of needless interventions that impede grieving Jewish families from laying their dead to rest. How many times must bereaved Jews have to take her to court, and how much of local taxpayers’ money she will have to lose before she simply respects Jewish and other religious burial practices as coroners around the country already do. Several years ago, after she insisted on delaying Jewish burials, we called on Ms Hassell to resign. We repeat that call today.

“We commend the legal team who have brought this just conclusion about, and urge other victims of Ms Hassell’s gratuitous stubbornness to continue to come forward and seek redress for their loved ones rather than accept arbitrary or discriminatory decisions.”

The claimant was represented by Sam Grodzinski QC and Ben Tankel, instructed by Asserson Law Offices.

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Suspect arrested on suspicion of “reprehensible” antisemitic vandalism at Long Island school

A youth has been arrested on suspicion of antisemitic vandalism at a school in Long Island, New York.

The unnamed male was charged by police with a hate crime for allegedly spray-painting swastikas at John Philip Sousa Elementary School in Port Washington in New York State. The boy was charged with first-degree aggravated harassment and third-degree criminal mischief as a hate crime in connection with the swastikas.

Port Washington school Superintendent Michael Hynes announced the boy’s arrest one day after police released photos of the suspect. Mr Hynes described the graffiti as a “reprehensible and hateful act of antisemitism” and said that the district would continue to work with the police and the District Attorney’s office as the investigation continued.

 In a statement, Mr Hynes wrote: “We must remain resolute in our commitment to zero tolerance of bigotry, hatred and discrimination in any and all of its forms,” adding: “From our classrooms to our homes, we must continue to engage in dialogue to educate our children on the impact of such hateful acts.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

Image credit: Port Washington Police District

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Controversial Birmingham cleric stands by his description of Jews as “a cowardly nation” and call for a “jihad” against Israel

Sheikh Asrar Rashid, a controversial cleric in Birmingham, has stood by his description of Jews as “a cowardly nation” and call for a “jihad” on Israel.

Whilst commenting on the violence in Israel and Gaza in a panel discussion, Mr Rashid was quoted as saying: “Personally, I believe the only solution is jihad, and a call for jihad, and an announcement for jihad by Muslim majority states that we have.

“Even surgical strikes or wallpaper strikes, the type that Saddam Hussein did in the early Nineties, I believe. Thirty-nine rockets he fired into Tel Aviv and every Jew was running into his shelter. Those with a European passport would be running back to Europe.”

“You see the way they react to Katyusha missiles or Qassam missiles that do not even kill anyone, they run into their shelters so the Jews are known as…a cowardly nation.”

Following criticism from the Jewish Chronicle, which Mr Rashid described as a “Zionist newspaper”, he defended his comments on Facebook and Twitter, writing that the term “Jews” was “used in the same vein as the mainstream media regularly employ ‘Muslim’, ‘Arabs’, or ‘Palestinian’.”

He went on to say: “This context also reflects my statements that the ‘Jews are known as a cowardly nation’, pertaining to the State of Israel and its actions against the Palestinians where women and children are indiscriminately killed.”

In his online post, Mr Rashid went as far as to say that it was impossible for Muslims to be antisemitic because the Prophet Muhammad “had a Jewish wife”. He did, however, maintain that “a call for jihad – a just war – in the form of military intervention by Muslim-majority states to avert the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Occupied Palestine, is the only solution.”

According to the International Definition of Antisemitism, “Calling for, aiding, or justifying the killing or harming of Jews in the name of a radical ideology or an extremist view of religion” is an example of antisemitism, as is “Making mendacious, dehumanising, demonising, or stereotypical allegations about Jews as such or the power of Jews as collective.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s Antisemitism Barometer 2020 showed that over eight in ten British Jews consider the threat from Islamists to be very serious.

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CAA submits complaint to Metropolitan Police over officers who stood by as demonstrators shouted “We’ll find some Jews there. We want the Zionists. We want their blood!’”

Campaign Against Antisemitism is filing a complaint to the Directorate of Professional Standards after police ignored antisemitic threats among demonstrators on Sunday who were shouting: “We’ll find some Jews there.  We want the Zionists. We want their blood!”

The demonstrators were trying to counter-protest a rally of the Jewish community and allies in solidarity with Israel, in Kensington. However, towards the end of the peaceful gathering, police were required to step in due to the arrival of counter-demonstrators.

After being told to leave the area by the police, the counter-demonstrators were escorted away by officers. But in a video posted online, at least one of the counter-demonstrators can be seen shouting: “We’ll find some Jews there,” before adding: “We want the Zionists. We want their blood.”

The video appears to show policemen walking alongside the perpetrators without taking action against the incitement.

In a rally held just the day before, participants held up antisemitic banners and heard speakers who blamed Israel for antisemitism and were told that “there will be no ceasefire in our campaign”. Crowds also marched in Manchester, Cardiff and elsewhere. Campaign Against Antisemitism is now reviewing a large volume of evidence from rallies and incidents over the past two weeks with our lawyers.

A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “Over the past two weeks, on too many occasions the Metropolitan Police has failed to intervene against antisemitic crime and incitement on the streets of London, and in some cases officers have even joined protestors despite rules prohibiting such participation. Britain’s Jews need to be proactively protected by the police at this dangerous time.

“We are submitting yet another complaint to the Directorate of Professional Standards, this time in connection with the spectacle of police indifference toward counter-protestors on Sunday screaming ‘We’ll find some Jews there.  We want the Zionists. We want their blood!’. These threats are criminal and the police should know better than merely to escort the perpetrators away from a Jewish crowd: they should be arresting them.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s analysis of Home Office statistics shows that an average of over three hate crimes are directed at Jews every single day in England and Wales, with Jews almost four times more likely to be targets of hate crimes than any other faith group.

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s Antisemitism Barometer 2020 showed that three in five British Jews believe that the authorities, in general, are not doing enough to address and punish antisemitism.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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Archbishop of Canterbury condemns antisemitic convoy where drivers shouted “F*** the Jews…rape their daughters” through megaphone

The Archbishop of Canterbury has condemned the convoy of cars where drivers shouted “F*** the Jews…rape their daughters” through a megaphone last weekend.

Archbishop Justin Welby, who is the most senior clergyman in the Church of England, tweeted: “There can be no excuse for the appalling antisemitism we have seen in the UK today.

“Such hatred here will not help bring long overdue peace with justice in Israel/Palestine. As we continue to pray for the Holy Land we must reject violence, the threat of violence and antisemitism.”

Four men were arrested and bailed on suspicion of shouting “F*** the Jews…rape their daughters” as they drove in a convoy through Jewish neighbourhoods on Sunday, waving the flag of the Palestinian Authority.

The men are alleged to have been part of the convoy of some 200 cars displaying Palestinian Authority flags that is understood to have driven from Bradford, Sheffield and Leicester down the M1 motorway before veering into Hendon and Golders Green, two of North London’s Jewish neighbourhoods. According to witnesses, convoy participants shouted to Jewish passers-by “Free Palestine! Go back to Poland” and other antisemitic chants.

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s analysis of Home Office statistics shows that an average of over three hate crimes are directed at Jews every single day in England and Wales, with Jews almost four times more likely to be targets of hate crimes than any other faith group.

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Man arrested in Golders Green after allegedly attacking car displaying Israeli flag

A man has been arrested in Golders Green after allegedly attacking a car displaying an Israeli flag.

The suspect is said to have stopped his car to block another car displaying an Israeli flag, exited his car and began physically attacking the victim’s car. He reportedly tried to tear the Israeli flag from the car as it drove up Golders Green Road in the heavily Jewish North London neighbourhood.

According to the victim, the alleged assailant was detained by personnel from the Community Security Trust. Volunteers from Shomrim North West London, the Jewish volunteer neighbourhood watch patrol, then attended to assist before police arrested the suspect.

If you have any further information, please contact the police on 101.

A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “We are grateful for the swift response of CST and Shomrim personnel, thanks to whom a suspect has been detained. At a time of severely heightened concerns over antisemitism, it is vital that offenders face the full consequences of their actions.“

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s analysis of Home Office statistics shows that an average of over three hate crimes are directed at Jews every single day in England and Wales, with Jews almost four times more likely to be targets of hate crimes than any other faith group.

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Police arrest two people after Israeli flag with swastika put up at Royal Holloway, University of London

Police have arrested two people after an Israeli flag with a swastika was put up at Royal Holloway, University of London (RHUL). A Surrey Police spokesperson cofirmed that a man, 21, from Egham, and a woman, 19, from Englefield Green, were arrested in connection with the incident and then released on bail.

Last week, the President of RHUL Jewish Society tweeted a photo of an Israeli flag that had been placed on the RHUL’s library terrace, but with a swastika replacing the Star of David. The student wrote: “This was undeniably done by a student, as non-students don’t have access to the library. This is who we share a campus with. We see your attempts to intimidate us, but you will never succeed.”

In another tweet, the President shared a video recording that was sent to him. The video shows a protestor praising Hamas who can be heard saying: “If anyone ever tells you Hamas is, like, the real terrorists in this…no, it’s not. They’re actually defending their country.” Hamas is an antisemitic genocidal terrorist group.

According to the International Definition of Antisemitism, “Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis” is an example of antisemitism.

In a statement, the University’s Principal, Professor Paul Layzell, wrote: “Within our own community, we seek to uphold principles of respect for individuals, with an abhorrence of violence, and a belief that education can be used to make society better for all. We all have a role to play in maintaining a peaceful, respectful, inclusive and welcoming community, on and off campus. I ask that we all play our part. Individuals who fail to behave appropriately will be subject to our full disciplinary procedures.”

However, nowhere in the statement did it mention antisemitism or support for their Jewish students, despite RHUL having adopted the International Definition of Antisemitism.

Campaign Against Antisemitism monitors the adoption of the International Definition of Antisemitism by universities.

If any students are concerned about antisemitism on campus or need assistance, they can call us on 0330 822 0321, or e-mail [email protected]. 

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Police investigate swastika scratched into Utah synagogue door

Police are investigating a swastika that was scratched into the door of a Utah synagogue last week.

Utah’s Rabbi Avremi Zippel uploaded photos of the graffiti to his Twitter and Instagram accounts, adding “We will not cower in fear.”

Rabbi Zippel stated: “A swastika is not a political statement. A swastika is an image of hate. A swastika represents one thing and one thing only and that is death to the Jews. Swastikas in 2021 are not something we expect to deal with.”

He added that, while his congregation would be alright, they were “a bit shaken up. We will rise above hatred. We will never give it the space and the attention that it demands and that it wants. We will live to fight another day and bring light to a world that so much needs it.”

The Mayor of Salt Lake County, Jenny Wilson, condemned the vandalism, tweeting: “I stand with Utah’s Jewish Community. Hate and bigotry have no place in our community.”

Former Presidential candidate and Utah Senator, Mitt Romney, said: “Those who commit acts of vandalism against Jews or their places of worship in Salt Lake City or anywhere else only disgrace their own souls.”

Police are currently surveying the video footage, which they said was difficult as it was dark, but they believe that the suspect is a male who seemed to be “tall and was wearing dark clothing.”

Utah police are asking anyone with information to call them, at 801-799-3000.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

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Police investigate antisemitic attack on Jewish diners outside Los Angeles restaurant as numerous antisemitic incidents rock the city

Police are investigating an attack on a group of Jewish men which took place outside the Sushi Fumi, a restaurant in Los Angeles late on Tuesday evening.

Video footage shows a group of men in a car waving Palestinian Authority flags and yelling at diners outside the restaurant. They are later seen outside of the restaurant attacking the diners, reportedly having yelled antisemitic slurs. The attackers were said to have also thrown bottles and pepper sprayed a member of the public who tried to defend the Jewish diners, causing them to go to hospital.

According to one witness, “Those people [the attackers] know who lives in this area, that there is a big Jewish community, that’s why they arrived here, they were looking for Jews to attack. They were demanding to know who is Jewish and were very aggressive. I’m still shaken by what had happened.”

They went on to say that the incident was “worse than what the clip is showing. You can’t hear the profanity and antisemitic slurs they were using. Here were guys who were minding their own business, not bothering anyone, and they were attacked just for being Jewish. I am disgusted. I’ve lived in L.A. all my life and never encountered anything like this. I’m now fearful to identify myself as a Jew. I can’t believe this is happening here, I don’t feel safe anymore.”

A brother of one of the victims wrote about the experience on Facebook. He wrote: “Tonight was the scariest night of my life…two of my brothers’ friends identified themselves as Jewish and got beaten down as a result. I’m pretty speechless at the moment but all I can say is be very careful out there if you are Jewish. Not many people have our back or truly understand this situation we are facing. People will forever be blindsided by the media and unfortunately it’s out of our control.”

This was one of numerous incidents reported in Los Angeles over the past few days. In another incident, Jews leaving synagogue were chased by a car, while multiple kosher restaurants have been vandalised. Other assailants have been seen going from house to house looking for mezuzahs to vandalise.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

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Mezuzahs vandalised in heinous antisemitic attacks on Jewish homes in Borehamwood while hostile signs are affixed to Jewish flats in Stamford Hill

At least two Jewish homes in Borehamwood have seen their mezuzahs vandalised in heinous antisemitic attacks.

Police are investigating the incidents, which took place at two next-door houses in the heavily-Jewish Hertfordshire neighbourhood as racially-motivated crimes.

One mezuzah was wrenched from the doorframe while next door the mezuzah was “maliciously” removed and the parchment trodden into the ground. The families were reportedly left “petrified”.

One of the victims reportedly said: “”At about 5pm yesterday, I picked up a package from Amazon and then saw something on the ground. I realised it was my mezuzah, lying on the floor broken. The top had been opened and the parchment had been taken out, scrunched up and then trodden into the mud. It had been deliberately sabotaged. That’s what really upset me, the maliciousness of the act. We are the only two Jewish families in this section of our road, which is a beautiful, multicultural neighbourhood. I got such a shock. We’ve had that mezuzah for years. My son is now 18 and we’ve had it all his life, so it’s very special to us. I can’t get that image out of my head of seeing it scrunched up and trodden into the ground. In all my life I’ve never seen anything like this.”

She added: “It’s had a terrible effect. My son and I couldn’t sleep last night and I’ve been throwing up. I think I went into shock.”

Her neighbour, also a victim, said: “It’s clearly malicious. You don’t want to believe it’s a hate crime, but that’s exactly what it is.” She added: “My son, who is at secondary school, doesn’t want to walk by himself, while my daughter, who is at primary school, knows someone has targeted her house. It’s not nice at all.”

In a statement, Hertsmere Police said: “I would like to make it clear to the local Jewish community that we will not tolerate antisemitism. Please be reassured that thorough enquiries are being carried out to find those responsible and get justice. We have currently got extra patrols in place across Hertsmere; please don’t be afraid to approach us with any concerns when you see us out and about. I would also like to reassure you that we have reported these incidents centrally so that it can feed into the wider intelligence picture across the UK. The victims are understandably shaken by what has happened and we will be putting them in touch with a specially trained hate crime officer in case they want extra support.”

A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “This is a heinous antisemitic crime that targets Jewish houses on their doorsteps and is designed to signal to Jewish families that they are unsafe even in their own homes. It is particularly terrifying at a time of skyrocketing antisemitism on our streets. We are grateful to the Hertsmere Police for their strong stance and support for the local community, which broadcasts the message that the authorities stand with local Jewish residents against such attacks. The criminals behind this vandalism must be caught and face the full force of the law.”

There are also reports that hostile signs are being affixed to the front doors of Jewish flats inside apartment blocks in Stamford Hill. These incidents come just days after antisemitic graffiti was found in the common parts of an apartment block in the same area.

If you have any more information, please contact the police on 101, quoting reference numbers 41/36556/21 and 41/36605/21.

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s analysis of Home Office statistics shows that an average of over three hate crimes are directed at Jews every single day in England and Wales, with Jews almost four times more likely to be targets of hate crimes than any other faith group.

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Two arrested over antisemitic assault which hospitalised young Essex Rabbi outside synagogue on Sunday

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of religiously-aggravated assault over an antisemitic attack which hospitalised Rabbi Rafi Goodwin on Sunday.

Leeds-born father of two Rabbi Goodwin, who is in his thirties, was brutally beaten with a blunt object, sustaining head injuries, according to the police.

The United Synagogue, the umbrella body to which Chigwell and Hainault Synagogue belongs, said that Rabbi Goodwin sustained injuries necessitating a stay in hospital so that he could be treated and assessed for concussion. A police statement issued soon after the incident added that he was treated for cuts to his head and eye.

Essex Police said: “It is believed that two teenagers stepped out in front of the victim’s vehicle whilst he was driving, they shouted at him and spoke in a derogatory way about his religion before going on to damage his car. When he got out of his car to confront them, he was attacked with an unknown object causing him to require hospital treatment. During the attack the victim’s phone was also stolen.” Chief Superintendent Stuart Hooper added: “At this time we do not believe this incident is related to events taking place overseas or incidents which have taken place elsewhere in the country.”

The following day, Essex Police confirmed that it had made two arrests, stating: “Two men from Ilford, aged 18 and 25 were arrested this afternoon on suspicion of [causing] Grievous Bodily Harm with intent.”

Police also issued an appeal anyone with mobile or CCTV recordings to contact them by calling 101, quoting crime reference number 42/92174/21.

Local Councillor Jas Athwal, leader of Redbridge Council, said: “Antisemitism has no place in our society and, if you have any information about this unprovoked and cowardly attack, please contact the police. We are proud of our community and all parts of the community in Redbridge, we unequivocally condemn this attack and will continue to work together to support each other.”

A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “This is a time when there is considerable fear within the Jewish community over the outpouring of Jew-hatred of the past week. This attack deepened that alarm, so we would particularly like to praise Essex Police for its swift response, resulting in these arrests. We will follow the case closely.”

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Cars draped in Palestinian Authority flags chase and ram car of Jewish mother driving her four-year-old to see friends, as CAA repeats call for urgent police crackdown

A Jewish mother has told of her terror at being chased down a London street and rammed whilst driving her four-year-old child to see friends.

The victim wrote that at 14:24 on Sunday, she was driving her child to a friend’s house, when she noticed two cars draped in flags of the Palestinian Authority. She wrote: “I turned right and both cars started to chase me down the road and rammed into the back of my car. As I approached the light, I put my foot on the accelerator and sped through a red light, trying to make my way through the traffic. I turned into my friend’s road, but the cars continued to chase me. Once again I found myself with my foot flat on the accelerator racing down the road to try and find somewhere safe. Thankfully I found a small ally where I parked my car behind a large truck. I called my friend to check the cars had gone and made my way to his home to calm down.”

Earlier that day, cars festooned with Palestinian Authority flags drove through Jewish neighbourhoods shouting from a megaphone: “F*** the Jews…f*** all of them. F*** their mothers, f*** their daughters, and show your support for Palestine.” The speaker went on to call listeners to “Rape their [the Jews’] daughters”. Four men have been arrested and bailed.

Fortunately there were no injuries reported, though the victim’s car was damaged. The victim said of the incident: “We deserve to live in a country where we are protected…You will not intimidate me and my family.”

In a statement, the police said: “At around 15:00hrs on Sunday, 16 May, we received a report of a car being driven aggressively in Parsons Street, Hendon. It is alleged that it made contact with the rear bumper of another car.” The statement added: “As part of their investigation, officers will consider whether there is any link between this report and a convoy of vehicles that passed through North London on the same afternoon.”

Stephen Silverman, Director of Investigations and Enforcement at Campaign Against Antisemitism, said: “The victim was clearly very afraid for her and her child’s safety. It is very fortunate indeed that nobody was injured. Police need to restore law and order to our streets and defend the Jewish community from this kind of targeted violence. This is yet another incident arising from the protests this weekend in which people have felt able to commit criminal acts against British Jews, whilst masquerading as protesters. They are not protesters, they are criminals, and confidence in the police will rapidly fall if these people are not brought to justice.”

Witnesses should call the police and contact [email protected].

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s analysis of Home Office statistics shows that an average of over three hate crimes are directed at Jews every single day in England and Wales, with Jews almost four times more likely to be targets of hate crimes than any other faith group.

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Four men arrested and bailed over antisemitic “F*** the Jews…rape their daughters” convoy as CAA demands more arrests

Four men have been arrested and bailed on suspicion of shouting “F*** the Jews…rape their daughters” as they drove in a convoy through Jewish neighbourhoods on Sunday, waving the flag of the Palestinian Authority, as well as an antisemitic incident in Salford, Manchester in the early hours that day.

The men are alleged to have been part of the convoy of some 200 cars displaying Palestinian Authority flags is understood to have driven from Bradford, Sheffield and Leicester down the M1 motorway before veering into Hendon and Golders Green, two of North London’s Jewish neighbourhoods. According to witnesses, convoy participants shouted to Jewish passers-by “Free Palestine! Go back to Poland” and other antisemitic chants.

The men arrested are alleged to have blared from a megaphone: “F*** the Jews…f*** all of them. F*** their mothers, f*** their daughters, and show your support for Palestine.” The speaker went on to call listeners to “Rape their [the Jews’] daughters”. The incident took place a stone’s throw from a synagogue in West Hampstead.

Additionally, the men are suspected of involvement in an alleged antisemitic incident in Manchester in the early hours that day.

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police Service admitted that they had failed so badly to monitor the convoy that it took hours to find the car in question, which was identified from photographs taken by a Jewish member of the public who had the presence of mind to capture images of the vehicles’ licence plates. The statement said that “Enquiries were carried out and officers traced the car to the A40 in Hillingdon. The police helicopter was deployed and officers stopped the car at approximately 18:30. Four men were arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated public order offences. They were taken into custody at a west London police station. Whilst there, they were additionally arrested in connection with a similar incident which took place at around 01:35 on Sunday, 16th May in the Broughton Park area of Salford, Manchester.”

The incident attracted widespread condemnation, including from the Prime Minister and Home Secretary.

Gideon Falter, Chief Executive of Campaign Against Antisemitism, said: “The convoy and demonstrations this weekend were utterly predictable and preventable. They have been advertised for a week. Jews have had to witness the shocking reality that in 2021, people can drive through the capital of our country calling for our daughters to be raped, with nobody in sight to protect us or take action. Whilst we commend the police on tracking down suspects, they should have been there at the time, monitoring this convoy.

“Many hate crimes have been committed against Britain’s Jews in the past week, but there have only been half a dozen arrests. There must be an immediate police crackdown on those responsible for these acts of Jew-hatred, and an inquiry into why the Metropolitan Police Service permitted these protests to go ahead without proper measures in place to stop this criminality, in full knowledge that the appalling scenes of antisemitism that we have witnessed were likely to the point of certainty. Britain’s Jews will not wait until this persistent antisemitic incitement leads to violence. We pray that it will not take bloodshed on our streets before the authorities realise they have let this go too far. These antisemitic thugs must face the full force of the law.”

Witnesses should call the police and contact [email protected].

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s analysis of Home Office statistics shows that an average of over three hate crimes are directed at Jews every single day in England and Wales, with Jews almost four times more likely to be targets of hate crimes than any other faith group.

The image on this article has been partially obscured due to legal restrictions on the reporting of active criminal cases.

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Neo-Nazi Tobias Powell jailed for three years over calls for race war and support for proscribed terrorist organisation

An obsessive neo-Nazi admirer of Adolf Hitler has been sentenced to three years in prison after being convicted of posting “abhorrent” racist material online.

Tobias Powell, 33, of Wythering Close in Bognor Regis, who has a Nazi tattoo, was investigated by Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) over his social media activity. His home was raided by CTPSE in February 2019, where it was discovered that he had “called for a civil war to stop the ethnic suicide of white people; showed support for the terrorist organisation National Action; and shared a picture of his tattoo which contained the Nazi emblem,” according to a CTPSE spokesperson.

While elements of Mr Powell’s offending seemed bizarre, such as setting his Apple ID to “Adolf Hitler” and filming his dog performing a Nazi salute, much of it was much more threatening, for example in one e-mail in which he said that he would have no problem “shooting off a kneecap” or “scalping” someone, referring to the cutting or tearing off of part of a human head.

In an attempt to reduce his sentence, Mr Powell’s lawyer told Portsmouth Crown Court that Mr Powell was “in no position to influence anyone. He is what he is, which is a rather pathetic individual who holds unattractive views and nothing more serious than that,” adding that “He is a petty criminal, he is a drug addict living at home, unemployed, with nothing to do with his time or his day.”

Judge Tim Mousley QC was clearly not persuaded, sentencing Mr Powell to three years in prison, ruling: “I am quite satisfied that you have demonstrated attitudes towards many different ethnic groups, religious groups, people of difference sexualities which are abhorrent to most people. I am also satisfied your views and how you expressed them is particularly worrying and deeply entrenched, they are far-reaching and they are obsessive.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Kath Barnes, head of CTPSE, said evidence gathered during the probe revealed Powell had “some very unacceptable views.” She added: “We know there is a fine line between hate speech and terrorism. Showing support for terrorist organisations is not acceptable and if you do that, you should expect to be investigated by us.”

Sussex Police’s Arun and Chichester District Commander, Jon Carter, said that the case “shows the importance of thorough investigation of any use of the internet to spread hate and dangerous material.”

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Following CAA complaint Metropolitan Police investigates multiple officers over participation in antisemitic protests whilst in uniform

Following a complaint from Campaign Against Antisemitism, the Metropolitan Police Service is investigating multiple police officers over their participation in antisemitic protests whilst in uniform.

Campaign Against Antisemitism wrote to Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick after two videos emerged, one showing a uniformed police officer embracing protestors and chanting “Free, free Palestine,” with another showing officers at the same demonstration greeting and shaking hands with the drivers of a convoy of cars that displayed Palestinian flags.

The protests were characterised by some of the worst incidents of antisemitism seen on the streets of London in recent years. Swastikas and pictures of Adolf Hitler as well as calls for Jews to be murdered and Jewish women to be raped were all accompanied by the constant beat of the same words that were chanted by the officer who appears in the first video.

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s Director of Investigations and Enforcement, Stephen Silverman, wrote to Dame Cressida: “At events as highly charged as those we witnessed over the weekend, the shameless abandonment by these officers of any pretence at impartiality can only serve to embolden those who have caused such fear amongst British Jews. These disgraceful videos have been widely circulated. It would be impossible for any Jewish person to trust these officers to assist them impartially. Our latest Antisemitism Barometer shows that three in five British Jews believe that the authorities are not doing enough to address and punish antisemitism, and less than one third are confident that antisemitic hate crimes against them would be prosecuted. The behaviour of these officers can only have caused further damage. It is now vital that a disciplinary hearing into the conduct of the officers concerned is conducted with the utmost urgency, and that a clear message is sent that officers who engage in such behaviour have no place in the Metropolitan Police Service.”

In a statement to journalists he added: “Over the weekend we have seen a car convoy drive through Jewish areas calling for Jewish girls and women to be raped, we have seen a Rabbi hospitalised in an assault, and we have documented numerous antisemitic crimes at demonstrations. For police officers to cheer such a convoy and join in those same demonstrations in uniform is utterly incompatible with the impartiality that is a basic requirement of service. A firm message must be sent that officers who engage in such behaviour will have no place in the Metropolitan Police Service.”

Confirming that an investigation would take place, Chief Superintendent Roy Smith warned: “Whilst we expect officers to engage they must remain impartial.”

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police Service said: “While officers are encouraged to positively engage with those attending demonstrations, they know they are not to actively participate or adopt political positions. This is vital to ensuring the public have confidence in our officers. The Directorate of Professional Standards has been informed and are investigating the full circumstances of this incident and to determine what further action is appropriate.”

@the111r

#freepalestine #palestine #🇵🇸 #O2HereComesBrighter #HAIRFOODHYPE

♬ dammi falastini by mohammad assaf – nora
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CAA calls for immediate police crackdown as convoy drives through Jewish neighbourhoods shouting “F*** the Jews…rape their daughters”, ending with rally at Downing Street featuring antisemitic signs and Hamas-style headbands

Campaign Against Antisemitism is calling for an immediate police crackdown on a convoy that drove through Jewish neighbourhoods in North London this afternoon shouting antisemitic chants through a sound system, concluding with a rally at Downing Street.

The convoy of some 200 cars displaying Palestinian Authority flags is understood to have driven from Bradford, Sheffield and Leicester down the M1 motorway before veering into Hendon and Golders Green, two of North London’s Jewish neighbourhoods. According to witnesses, convoy participants shouted to Jewish passers-by “Free Palestine! Go back to Poland” and other antisemitic chants.

The convoy then headed down Finchley Road and into St John’s Wood. A stone’s throw from a synagogue in West Hampstead, the convoy blared from a megaphone: “F*** the Jews…f*** all of them. F*** their mothers, f*** their daughters, and show your support for Palestine.” The speaker went on to call listeners to “Rape their [the Jews’] daughters”.

Local Jewish residents have contacted us expressing their terror at the convoy.

The convoy then reached Downing Street to join a rally, which was monitored by Campaign Against Antisemitism’s Demonstration and Event Monitoring Unit.

We filmed one protester yelling that Jews should “Go back to all the sh**y countries you came from”.

The protest featured numerous antisemitic signs, including several equating Israel to Nazis. According to the International Definition of Antisemitism, “Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis” is an example of antisemitism.

Attendees of the rally were also seen wearing Hamas-style headbands. Hamas is an antisemitic genocidal terrorist group, which over 90% of British Jews would like to see proscribed in its entirety by the British Government.

In a statement on Twitter, the Metropolitan Police said: “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. Officers are carrying out urgent enquiries to identify those responsible. This sort of behaviour will not be tolerated.”

The Home Secretary, Priti Patel, also weighed in, saying: “This is disgusting antisemitism. There is no place for this hatred in the UK. I expect @metpoliceuk to be taking this seriously.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has also released a statement, saying: “There is no place for antisemitism in our society. Ahead of Shavuot, I stand with Britain’s Jews who should not have to endure the type of shameful racism we have seen today.”

Even Sir Keir Starmer, whose MPs have played no small part over the past week in inflaming the situation we are now witnessing, described the scenes as “Utterly disgusting. Antisemitism, misogyny and hate have no place on our streets or in our society. There must be consequences.” It remains to be seen whether those consequences will apply to his own Parliamentary colleagues.

Today’s rally came a day after another rally in Central London featured antisemitic placards, terrorist emblems and genocidal anti-Jewish battle cries, which all went completely unchallenged by the crowd, whose leaders claimed to be avowed anti-racists.

Gideon Falter, Chief Executive of Campaign Against Antisemitism, said: “This convoy and demonstration were utterly predictable and preventable. They have been advertised for a week. Jews have had to witness the shocking reality that in 2021, people can drive through the capital of our country calling for our daughters to be raped, with nobody in sight to protect us or take action. There must be an immediate police crackdown on those responsible for these acts of Jew-hatred, and an inquiry into why the Metropolitan Police Service permitted these protests to go ahead without proper measures in place to stop this criminality, in full knowledge that today’s scenes were likely to the point of certainty. Britain’s Jews will not wait until this persistent antisemitic incitement leads to violence. We pray that it will not take bloodshed on our streets before the authorities realise they have let this go too far. These antisemitic thugs must face the full force of the law.”

Witnesses should call the police and contact us at [email protected].

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s analysis of Home Office statistics shows that an average of over three hate crimes are directed at Jews every single day in England and Wales, with Jews almost four times more likely to be targets of hate crimes than any other faith group.

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CAA publishes resource for pupils and parents as reports grow of harrowing antisemitism in schools in wake of conflict between Israel and Hamas terrorists

We are hearing disturbing accounts of Jewish schoolchildren being pressured by their peers to “pick a side” in the conflict between Israel and the antisemitic genocidal terrorist group, Hamas.

We have published a short resource on “What to do about antisemitism at school” for children and parents, which helps identify antisemitism using the International Definition of Antisemitism and provides pointers on how to act when antisemitic incidents arise.

The problem is not only impacting pupils but also Jewish teachers. The spouse of one Jewish teacher wrote on Facebook this week of how she had to “ensure multiple incidents” in one day at her school in Mill Hill, as students repeatedly screamed “Free Palestine” at her in large groups, “targeting her alone as a known Jewish teacher at the school”.

She is reportedly feeling very unsafe and is considering handing in her notice.

A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “Reports of antisemitism directed at Jewish schoolchildren and teachers are harrowing. Teachers, colleagues, headteachers and governors have an obligation to step in to prevent abuse and punish perpetrators when it arises. There must be no place for racism in schools. We have produced a resource for pupils and parents who encounter antisemitism at school, and we urge victims to contact us for assistance.”

If any pupils, parents or teachers are concerned about antisemitism at school, please contact us at [email protected]. 

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Police arrest man after van covered in antisemitic, neo-Nazi slogans drives through Florida

A man has been arrested after a van covered in antisemitic, pro-Nazi slogans was seen driving through Boca Raton and Miami earlier this week.

Rabbi Efrem Goldberg, rabbi at Boca Raton Synagogue, tweeted footage of the van driving past a pro-Israel rally. Several antisemitic slogans were scrawled across the van.

“Hitler was right” can be seen in large, capital letters written across the windows, directly above a door which bore the words “Holocaust never happened.” Written above that is ”We hate kikes”, along with a swastika.

“Rabbi’s rape” was also written on the driver’s door in large blue letters. Other slogans on the van included “Vax the Jews” and “White goy summer.”

In his tweet, Rabbi Goldberg wrote: “We rally for peace and this van filled with hate, call for genocide and threats kept circling. Thank you to our local law enforcement for keeping us safe. Hard to believe in the heart of Boca Raton if didn’t see it myself.”

The arrested man is reported to be Joseph Bounds, 33, of Denver, Colorado, who is said to belong to the anti-Jewish hate group, Goyim Defense League, along with the other men in the van. According to the ADL, the group is “a loose network of individuals connected by their virulent antisemitism. The group includes six primary organisers/public figures and thousands of online followers.”

Mr Bounds was accused of stepping outside of his vehicle in the middle of the street to record his encounter with the policeman. According to a police report, the officer issued Mr Bounds “three lawful commands to step away from traffic,” which Mr Bounds ignored.

According to Jared Holt, an expert on domestic extremism, the antisemitic stunt was live-streamed to a white supremacist website. He also noted that one of the members inside the van was Jovanni Valle, also known as Jovi Val, a member of the far-right group, Proud Boys.

We recently reported on the “Hitler was right” hashtag has been trending on Twitter this week.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has been monitoring and acting against the threat from the far-right for years and continues to support the authorities following suit.

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Norfolk Messianic institution vandalised with antisemitic graffiti including swastika and racial slur

A Messianic institution in Norfolk has been vandalised with antisemitic graffiti where a swastika was spray painted below the words “Free Palestine” and the antisemitic slur ‘kike’.

Binyamin Sheldrake, the spiritual leader of the Adat Yeshua Messianic Synagogue, said: “It’s horrible, it’s just people feeling they have permission to be antisemitic at the moment. They get encouraged to step out and do stuff like this…it’s not the kind of place where you would expect this kind of reaction.”

Norfolk Police issued an appeal around midday today which read: “Police are appealing for witnesses following an incident of criminal damage in Norwich overnight. The incident happened sometime between 4pm on Thursday 13 May and 7.30am on Friday 14 May when offensive graffiti was sprayed onto the door of a synagogue in Essex Street. Enquiries into the incident are ongoing and officers are conducting reassurance patrols in the area. Police are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has any information concerning it, to come forward. Please contact PC James McAvoy at Earlham Police Station on 101 quoting crime reference 36/32537/21.”

We recently reported on the rise of antisemitic incidents in Britain in the wake of fighting between terrorist organisations and Israel.  

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s analysis of Home Office statistics shows that an average of over three hate crimes are directed at Jews every single day in England and Wales, with Jews almost four times more likely to be targets of hate crimes than any other faith group.

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Success for CAA as General Pharmaceutical Council accepts that Al Quds Day leader Nazim Ali’s comments were antisemitic and confirms it will not contest appeal

In a success for Campaign Against Antisemitism, the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has accepted that comments made by Nazim Ali, a pharmacist and leader of the annual Al Quds Day rally, were antisemitic.

The GPhC has also confirmed that it will not contest an appeal brought at Campaign Against Antisemitism’s behest by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) over a previous decision to let Mr Ali off with a formal warning over his comments at the rally in 2017.

Last year, the GPhC’s Fitness to Practise Committee, found that Mr Ali brought the pharmaceutical profession into disrepute, following a two-week hearing that culminated on 5th November arising from a complaint by Campaign Against Antisemitism. However, the GPhC panel did not find that he had been antisemitic and let him off with just a formal warning.

Following the GPhC’s ruling, Campaign Against Antisemitism made representations to the PSA, which oversees disciplinary decisions made by the GPhC. We asked the PSA to use its statutory power to appeal the GPhC’s decision to the High Court under the National Health Service Reform and Healthcare Professionals Act 2002, on the grounds that the decision made by the GPhC panel was insufficient to protect the public because it was “irrational and perverse”.

In particular, we asked the PSA to review the GPhC’s ruling that Mr Ali’s statements were not antisemitic, including by attempting to distinguish between “antisemitism” and “antisemitic”. We have asked the PSA to consider the International Definition of Antisemitism, which has been adopted by the British Government, and the Guidance to all Judiciary in England and Wales produced by the Judicial College that makes clear that the word “Zionist” or “Zio” as a term of abuse has no place in a civilised society.

Furthermore, we argued that the ruling misapplied the law when asking whether a “reasonable person” would have considered the comments made by Mr Ali as being antisemitic. The GPhC’s Fitness to Practise Committee ruled that Jewish bystanders who saw the demonstration or watched the recording of it posted online could not be considered to be “reasonable persons” in the legal sense because of their “selective view of events”.

The PSA made the referral that we requested, opening the way for the High Court to decide whether to quash the GPhC panel’s decision, leading to the matter being re-opened.

However, the Chief Executive of the GPhC has now told Campaign Against Antisemitism that the regulator “took the view, and still does, that the comments were antisemitic.” He confirmed that the GPhC does not intend to contest the PSA’s appeal to the High Court, accepts that Mr Ali’s comments were indeed antisemitic and that the GPhC panel’s decision was inadequate and wrong, and that it intends to leave Mr Ali to defend the decision himself in the High Court if he wishes to do so. The GPhC has suggested to the High Court that it might consider the option of making a decision on the matter itself rather than returning it to the GPhC for another fitness to practice hearing.

Stephen Silverman, Director of Investigations and Enforcement at Campaign Against Antisemitism, said: “We commend the GPhC for recognising that the original ruling by its Fitness to Practise panel was badly flawed and for taking the necessary steps to correct it. It is absolutely right to recognise that Nazim Ali’s comments were antisemitic and that the panel’s decision and sanction were inadequate and wrong. The road to justice in this case has proved long and winding, but we are again heading in the right direction. It is important that we are unrelenting in pursuit of such cases.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism made its initial complaint to the GPhC related to Mr Ali’s actions in 2017, when he led the pro-Hizballah “Al Quds Day” parade for the controversial London-based organisation calling itself the Islamic Human Rights Commission, just four days after the Grenfell Tower tragedy in which over 70 people were burned alive.

Heading the parade, surrounded by the flags of Hizballah, the genocidal antisemitic terrorist organisation, Mr Ali shouted over a public address system: “Some of the biggest corporations who are supporting the Conservative Party are Zionists. They are responsible for the murder of the people in Grenfell, in those towers in Grenfell. The Zionist supporters of the Tory Party. Free, Free, Palestine…It is the Zionists who give money to the Tory Party to kill people in high-rise blocks. Free, Free, Palestine. From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”

At another point he told marchers: “Careful of those Rabbis who belong to the Board of Deputies, who have got blood on their hands, who agree with the killing of British soldiers. Do not allow them in your centres.”

The events were filmed by members of Campaign Against Antisemitism’s Demonstration and Event Monitoring Unit.

Mr Ali is the Managing Partner of Chelsea Pharmacy Medical Clinic. Campaign Against Antisemitism submitted a complaint to the GPhC, which confirmed that the matter “calls into question the pharmacy professional’s fitness to practise as a pharmacist.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism previously sought a criminal prosecution of Mr Ali. When the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) refused to prosecute him, we launched a private prosecution which the CPS disgracefully used its statutory powers to take over and discontinue, protecting Mr Ali from prosecution.

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Stamford Hill rocked by antisemitic hate crimes over the weekend, including knife threats and intimidating indoor graffiti

The Jewish neighbourhood of Stamford Hill has been rocked by numerous antisemitic hate crimes over the past several days.

On Friday 7th May, a man dressed in camouflage issued Nazi salutes to Jewish passers-by at Manor House Station (CAD 7253 09/05/21).

On Saturday morning at 01:45, two Jewish men walking on Cazenove Road were approached by a man threatening them with a large knife.

Also over the weekend, Jewish residents of Clock House woke to find the word “Hitler” scribbled onto the ceiling of a communal area in their block (CAD 5431 09/05/21).

All three incidents were reported by Stamford Hill Shomrim, the Jewish volunteer neighbourhood watch patrol.

If you have any more information, please contact the police on 101 or Stamford Hill Shomrim on 0300 999 0123, quoting the relevant reference numbers above.

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s analysis of Home Office statistics shows that an average of over three hate crimes are directed at Jews every single day in England and Wales, with Jews almost four times more likely to be targets of hate crimes than any other faith group.

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Court hears student ran neo-Nazi website that called for the “eradication of Jewish people” after he is charged with encouraging terrorism and stirring up racial hatred

Andrew Dymock, a politics graduate from Aberystwyth University, has been accused of creating and running the website of the neo-Nazi System Resistance Network (SRN) group.

During the trial at the Old Bailey, the court heard that Mr Dymock wrote and shared several antisemitic and hate-motivated articles through the website. He is being prosecuted for fifteen offences which include encouraging terrorism through the use of propaganda.

One article was allegedly titled “Join your local Nazis”, while another, “The Truth about the Holocaust”, said that “the only guilt felt by the Germanic race in regard to the Holocaust should be that we did not finish the job.”

It reportedly went on to say that Jews were a “cancer on this earth…that must be eradicated in its entirety”. Numerous antisemitic stereotypes and tropes were also said to have been included, such as conspiracy theories about Jewish control of the banks and the Government.

Another article reportedly written by Mr Dymock read that white people needed to “wake up and bring slaughter to Europa, cleansing it of the unclean filth that pollutes her lands”.

Prosecutor Jocelyn Ledward told jurors that “the article is clear in its encouragement of the eradication of Jewish people.” She added: “Such encouragement constitutes encouragement to commit acts of terrorism.”

Mr Dymock is accused of harbouring “books, flags, clothes and badges” in both his bedroom at home and at university. It was understood that Mr Dymock promoted the SRN on a right-wing website, claiming that SRN was “focused on building a group of loyal men, true to the cause of National Socialism and establishing the Fascist state through revolution.

“The System in the United Kingdom is the most oppressive within the Western World, so we are only looking for the truly dedicated and motivated soldiers to carry the flame with their comrades and ignite the fire that will burn the rats and rot out,” he is alleged to have written.

Ms Ledward told the court that “Before its proscription, the prosecution case contends that Mr Dymock was not only an active member of SRN but also participated in its activities in significant and specific ways. It is the prosecution case that he set up and operated both a website and a Twitter account which he used to promote, encourage and advance the organisation and its aims.”

Ms Leward went on to say that Mr Dymock was not being prosecuted for his beliefs, but rather: “He is facing prosecution for his encouragement of terrorist activity, of violence, as a means to shape society in accordance with his beliefs, rather than through free speech and democracy.”

The court was also shown a propaganda video which was hosted on the SRN website that featured members posing with the groups flag. Others, believed to be members of the American neo-Nazi group, Atomwaffen Division (AWD), were also seen in the video wearing masks covered in skulls.

The video depicted people burning flags and putting a pumpkin with a swastika carved into it outside a Welsh police station.

AWD is a paramilitary neo-Nazi group that trains its members in the use of firearms and reportedly seeks to ignite a race war in the United States. Last year, a member of AWD who made terror threats against American Jewish journalists and activists was sentenced to sixteen months in federal prison in Washington state.  

The Home Secretary, Priti Patel, recently called for the proscription of the AWD. This would make membership of the group punishable by up to ten years in prison.

Denying all charges, Mr Dymock stated: “I’m doing my dissertation on the rise of nationalism and why, and how, ranging from moderate to extreme. I kind of thought I might as well start preparing for my third year in advance.”

Mr Dymock denies five charges of encouraging terrorism, two of funding terrorism, stirring up racial hatred and hatred based on sexual orientation, four counts of disseminating terrorist publications, possessing a terrorist document and possessing racially inflammatory material. 

The trial continues.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has been monitoring and acting against the threat from the far-right for years and continues to support the authorities following suit.

Image credit: Crown Prosecution Service

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CAA mobilises volunteers as Jewish children told “#HitlerWasRight”, media blames “Jewish lobbies” and protestors target Jewish institutions

Campaign Against Antisemitism is mobilising volunteers following a significant increase in reports by members of the Jewish community of antisemitism on our streets, on social media and in traditional media in the wake of fighting between terrorist organisations and Israel.

We have been contacted by a growing number of British Jews reporting antisemitic harassment on the street and in schools, and countless attacks on social media, including praise for Adolf Hitler and the Holocaust.

On social media, abhorrent hashtags such as #HitlerWasRight, #HitlerTheGreat and #Holocaust_was_right, have all been trending internationally.

The hashtags were invariably accompanied by explanations. For example, one tweet was captioned: “Our modern history is always biased. The great Hitler was right about these Zionists”.

Many directly called for the extermination of the Jewish people. For example, one tweet read “#F***theJews Hitler was right. Now I know why he like slaughtering those Goddamn Jews [sic].”, and in another where one user wrote: “Now I think everyone has understand that Hitler was right [sic].”

Twitter users have also begun to spread a fabricated quote attributed to Hitler, in which it is claimed that he said: “I would have killed all the Jews of the world…but I kept some to show the world why I killed them.” Influencers including Pakistani actress Veena Malik tweeted the false quote to her 1.2 million followers before deleting it later.

Meanwhile on Britain’s streets, protesters in Manchester targeted a housing complex for Charedi Jews on Sunday, and in London, protesters yesterday tried to gain entry into Chelsea football stadium before burning an Israeli flag outside. Chelsea is owned by Jewish business Roman Abramovich who has pioneered a campaign to drive antisemitism out of football. Outside Downing Street, a demonstration last night featured numerous antisemitic banners comparing Israel to Nazi Germany, in breach of the International Definition of Antisemitism.

We have also received reports from Jewish people of abuse shouted at them in the streets, for example in Golders Green, a Jewish patron of a kosher restaurant reported today that she and her friend were left shaken as a driver yelled “Free Palestine” at them as they walked in the street.

In a particularly concerning development, Jewish schoolchildren are being victimised by their peers, forced to try to explain allegations put to them about a foreign conflict, with demands made that they condemn Israel or face the consequences.

The situation has not been helped by media coverage of the fighting. For example, Sky News has blamed “powerful Jewish lobbies” overseas for housing policies in Jerusalem, strengthening the perception that the Jewish Diaspora is to blame for rising tensions in the city. Campaign Against Antisemitism’s most recent Antisemitism Barometer revealed that 90% of British Jews believe that media bias against Israel is used to fuel persecution of Jews in Britain.

Due to the volume of demand for our assistance, we are mobilising additional volunteers to help with the influx and to monitor online antisemitism, as well as to provide assistance to victims. If you would like to volunteer, please visit https://antisemitism.org/volunteer. If you cannot give your time, please consider donating to support our work at antisemitism.org/donate.

To report an antisemitic incident, please e-mail [email protected].

Gideon Falter, Chief Executive of Campaign Against Antisemitism, said: “We fear we may see a recurrence of the record-breaking spike in antisemitism that we witnessed in 2014, when we first established CAA due to the failure of the criminal justice system to enforce the law against anti-Jewish racists.

“This week, we have seen social media and our streets rife with antisemitic motifs, with a foreign conflict used as a pretext by antisemites to target Jewish schoolchildren, adults and institutions in Britain.

“In anticipation of a spike in antisemitism, we are mobilising volunteers to help monitor and report antisemitic incidents and provide assistance to victims.

“We continue to call on the Government to proscribe in its entirety Hamas, an antisemitic genocidal terrorist organisation that aspires to the destruction of Jews worldwide. Proscription is supported by over 90% of British Jews and will send a message of zero-tolerance of anti-Jewish hatred.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s 2020 Antisemitism Barometer revealed that an overwhelming 91% of British Jews want the British Government to proscribe the antisemitic genocidal terrorist group Hamas in its entirety.

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Three synagogues torched in antisemitic “pogrom” in Lod, Israel

Three synagogues have been torched in Lod in what the Israeli town’s Mayor likened to an antisemitic pogrom.

Intense Arab rioting broke out in the central Israeli city, which is populated by a mix of Jewish and Arab residents. Cars and numerous shops were also set ablaze, while City Hall and a local museum were also reportedly attacked.

The Mayor compared the situation to the 1938 Kristallnacht pogrom in Nazi Germany, as he lamented that decades of coexistence had broken down. In response to his pleas for help, the Israeli Government declared a state of emergency in the city for the first time in decades and bolstered the law enforcement presence.

Harrowing videos of the video and of sacred Torah scrolls being removed from the ruins have circulated on social media.

One Jewish resident told the media: “Gangs of Arab youths are going street to street, burning stores, smashing windows. Jewish families are huddled at home, terrified of going out. Their cars are being set alight outside… Police are nowhere to be seen.”

There were also reports that some Jewish residents were refraining from using public bomb shelters to protect themselves from Hamas rocket fire for fear that they would be attacked by mobs if they appeared in the open.

The riots come in the wake of fighting between terrorist organisations and Israel.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s 2020 Antisemitism Barometer revealed that an overwhelming 91% of British Jews want the British Government to proscribe the antisemitic genocidal terrorist group Hamas in its entirety.

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Police intervene after anti-vaccination candidate in Glasgow wears yellow star and performs Nazi salute in pathetic attempt at “satire”

Derek Jackson, an anti-vaccination local election candidate for the Liberal Party (no connection to the Liberal Democrats), arrived at the Emirates Arena during the election count wearing sunglasses, a black suit, and a yellow star whilst performing a Nazi salute.

Mr Jackson, who was running for Glasgow’s Southside seat, was accompanied by several Liberal Party campaigners who were all dressed identically to Mr Jackson, and who were also performing the salute. Each of them had drawn red hearts onto the palms of their hands, and when performing the Nazi salute, would claim it was a “love salute.”

The yellow stars, designed to resemble the ones that Jewish Holocaust victims were forced to wear as a mark of identification, had the word “UNVAX” written on them. When questioned about the stars, the Liberal Party representatives stated that they were “sheriff badges.”

In an attempt to satire what he perceived to be the Scottish National Party’s (SNP) restrictions on hate speech, Mr Jackson performed the Nazi salute to a crowd of baffled onlookers as he proclaimed: “Love everyone…spread love…we’re just here to love everybody.”

Speaking directly to the crowd, he went on to say: “You’ve all got to love us as well. You’ve all got to love everybody, people you’ve never met before. You’ve got to care about people everywhere, all the time. You’ve got to give up your freedom and your liberty to love people you never met before.”

After being called a racist by a member of the crowd, Mr Jackson apparently grew agitated. He adopted what appeared to be a frustrated and confrontational tone and stated: “I hope you’re not stupid enough, all of you…I hope none of you are stupid enough to believe we’re promoting fascism, when plainly, and very obviously, we’re here to satire and parody the fascist SNP hate laws. Obviously. Are you all so stupid? Are you all so stupid, you think we’ve come here to promote fascism and racism and Nazism. Really? We are here to campaign against the SNP’s fascist hate speech laws which criminalise you expressing your thoughts in your home.”

Mr Jackson and his supporters were later escorted out of the arena by police.

The Liberal Party has now expelled Mr Jackson and given him a lifetime ban.

Anti-lockdown and anti-vaccination networks have become known as hotbeds of antisemitic conspiracy theories and tropes, and this is not the first time that anti-vaccination campaigners have used the yellow star during events. Recently, London protestors were condemned online for wearing the yellow stars, while French protesters were seen wearing them at a demonstration in Avignon. They have also been seen elsewhere in Europe and North America.

Campaign Against Antisemitism advocates for zero tolerance of antisemitism in public life. To that end we monitor all political parties and strive to ensure that any cases of concern are properly addressed.

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Red swastikas painted on trees prompts plan for first in-person event since start of pandemic in Edmonds, WA

A number of red swastikas were painted on trees in Southwest County Park, a well-known area of natural beauty in Edmonds, Washington.

Investigators said that they do not yet know if it was a teenage prank or something more serious, but following the discovery, Edmonds Mayor Mike Nelson said: “We need to make sure we’re not just silent about it.”

He said: “There’s nothing ‘childlike’ about promoting white supremacy. There’s nothing childlike about promoting messages of hate.”

As well as asking schools to spend more time teaching about the dangers of antisemitism, Mr Nelson said that he is proposing an in-person town hall event aimed at tackling hate, which would be the first such in-person event since the start of the pandemic. 

He also suggested installing night-vision cameras “in parks around town,” to catch perpetrators of hate crimes.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

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“Jihadis gloat over Mount Meron death toll and call on God to “increase this night of hell fire”

Jihadis around the Middle East took to social media for a macabre celebration of Jews killed at the Lag B’Omer festival at Mount Meron in northern Israel.

Analysts at the Washington-based media monitor MEMRI (Middle East Media Research), reported that an Al-Qaeda supporter posted a photograph on Telegram showing the bodies of Jewish pilgrims who were crushed, commenting: “These bodies do not belong to our people in Gaza, rather they are the carcasses of the Jews who were killed …Oh Allah, we gloat over their misfortune.”

Other posts uncovered by the team at MEMRI included the comment: “The number of those who were killed, the ancestors of monkeys and pigs, is on rise.” The same person also posted a photo of dead victims, writing: “The Jews’ corpses are filling the road, praise be to Allah.”

On Twitter, supporters of the antisemitic genocidal terrorist group Hizballah wrote: “more than 20 terrorist murderers occupying Palestine dead.” Another tweet asked God to “increase this night of hell fire.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

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Four years in prison for first police officer convicted of membership of far-right terrorist group

A police officer found guilty of being a member of the banned neo-Nazi terrorist group National Action has been jailed for four years and four months.

Benjamin Hannam, a 22-year-old from Edmonton in North London, has now been fired from by the Metropolitan Police for gross misconduct following his conviction earlier this month. Last year, it was alleged that he belonged or professed to belong to the proscribed group National Action between December 2016 and January 2018 and that he falsely represented himself in his application to join the Metropolitan Police in this connection.

With his conviction at the beginning of April, Mr Hannam became the first police officer to be convicted of far-right terrorism after being found guilty at the Old Bailey of membership in National Action, lying on his application to join the police and possessing guides to knife-fighting and bombmaking. It is understood that the ban on reporting the case was lifted after Mr Hannam admitted possessing an indecent image of a child.

Mr Hannam, who reportedly has autism, was apparently “desperate to impress” an older National Action organiser who gave him free stickers, but he ended his association with the organisation before he joined the Metropolitan Police.

Sentencing Mr Hannam at the Old Bailey today, Judge Anthony Leonard QC told him that “I consider what you did to be very serious and you have harmed public trust in the police by your deceit”, as he sentenced Mr Hannam to four years and four months in prison.

The Head of the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command, which carried out the investigation, emphasised earlier this month that there is no evidence that Mr Hannam abused his position at the police force to further his far-right views.

Mr Hannam had denied being a member of National Action before or after it was proscribed, and told the court that he had been attracted to fascism aged sixteen because of its artwork and propaganda and was under the impression that it was a youth network. He denied engaging in any stickering or propaganda campaigns and insisted that he only attended social events.

Stephen Silverman, Director of Investigations and Enforcement at Campaign Against Antisemitism, said: “National Action was proscribed as a terrorist organisation at our behest because it poses a considerable threat. Its members are indoctrinated to kill and instructed in the use of weapons. Benjamin Hannam posed as someone who would protect the public, when in fact he was a member of a dangerous far-right terrorist organisation, in possession of knife fighting and bomb-making manuals, as well as disturbing sexual images of a child.

“We applaud Counter Terrorism Command for its investigation of this very troubling case, as well as the CPS for prosecuting it and the court for delivering an appropriate sentence. Public confidence in the police depends on holding officers to a high standard and zero tolerance of far-right or neo-Nazi infiltration. The verdict and sentence in this disturbing case sends exactly the right message.”

Other members of National Action were recently convicted and sentenced to prison for their role in the organisation.

National Action was proscribed as a terrorist organisation in December 2016 following a long campaign by Campaign Against Antisemitism and others. Under section 11 of the Terrorism Act 2000, membership of a proscribed terrorist organisation is a criminal offence.

Image credit: Metropolitan Police

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Police investigate antisemitic swastika graffiti in Watford

Police in Watford are investigating after swastikas were seen daubed on a wall in the town centre.

The two, yellow swastikas were spotted near Atria Watford and the police have informed Watford Borough Council. Police also said that they were “investigating an incident of racially or religiously aggravated criminal damage on Watford High Street.”

The rabbi at Watford & District Synagogue, Rabbi Mordechai Chalk, stated: “The daubing of swastikas in the centre of town is shocking. It is a friendly and inclusive place to live with a diverse community including hundreds of Jewish residents. We are pleased the police have dealt with it so quickly and thank them for their support.”

The graffiti was reportedly being removed as of 26th April.

If you have any information regarding this incident, please report it online at herts.police.uk/report or use their online web chat at herts.police.uk/contact. You can also call their non-emergency number 101 and quote the reference 41/30499/21.

Image credit: Jewish News

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Rabbi assaulted by man yelling “Dirty Jew, I am going to kill you!” in Clapton Common

A rabbi has been assaulted by a man yelling “Dirty Jew, I am going to kill you!”

The assailant was also said to have taken the rabbi’s hat off his head and thrown it to the ground.

Following this, the suspect stripped down to his underwear and “made explicit gestures outside a synagogue”.

The incident took place in Clapton Common and a suspect was said to have been arrested by Hackney Police.

If you have any more information, please contact the police on 101 or Stamford Hill Shomrim on 0300 999 0123, quoting reference number: CAD 2394 26/04/21.

A few days ago, a man yelled “Heil Hitler” as he drove past a Jewish pedestrian in Clapton Common.

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s analysis of Home Office statistics shows that an average of over three hate crimes are directed at Jews every single day in England and Wales, with Jews almost four times more likely to be targets of hate crimes than any other faith group.

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Assailant in latest Capitol Hill assault was follower of antisemitic hate preacher Louis Farrakhan and Nation of Islam

The assailant who died in the recent ramming attack on the US Capitol, in which a police officer died, was a devoted follower of the Nation of Islam movement and its leader, the antisemitic hate preacher Louis Farrakhan.

The suspect, who smashed his car into a barrier at the Capitol complex, was identified as 25-year-old Noah Green from Indiana. Video showed him emerging from the vehicle with a knife and lunging at officers who fired at him. One officer was killed in the assault, another was wounded. Mr Green died in hospital.

Before the assault, Mr Green had posted speeches and articles by Mr Farrakhan and a former Nation of Islam leader on his Facebook page, including a speech by Mr Farrakhan called “The Divine Destruction of America.”

Mr Green also posted on social media about the “end times” and called on his friends to join him in studying Nation of Islam teachings. In another post, he wrote: “These past few years have been tough, and these past few months have been tougher.” After listing his misfortunes, including “unauthorised operations in the hospital” and “mind control”, he wrote: “My faith is one of the only things that has been able to carry me through these times and my faith is centred on the belief of the Honourable Minister Louis Farrakhan.”

The Southern Poverty Law Centre defines the Nation of Islam as a hate group for the “deeply racist, antisemitic and anti-gay rhetoric of its leaders, including…Louis Farrakhan.”

The attack forced the Capitol into lockdown.

US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden offered “heartfelt condolences” to the family of the murdered police officer, while Vice-President Kamala Harris said that the dead officer “made the ultimate sacrifice protecting the Capitol.” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called him “a martyr for our democracy” and ordered flags to be lowered to half-mast.

Authorities said that the attack did not appear to be related to terrorism, that it did not appear to be connected to the January riot at the Capitol and that there was no ongoing threat.

A police officer who serves with the Capitol Police was recently suspended after a copy of the virulently antisemitic Protocols of the Elders of Zion was found on a table at a security post.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

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Jews murdered in Moroccan riots “deserve to be remembered” say descendants

More than 40 Jews murdered in Morocco in riots in 1948 “deserve to be remembered,” say their descendants, who are calling on the Israeli government to recognise those killed as Victims of Terror, with a view to establishing a monument and teaching “today’s generation” about the riots.

Riots began a few weeks after Israel declared independence in 1948. The riots took place in the neighbouring towns of Oujda and Jerada in north-east Morocco. The 41 dead included women and young children and the community rabbi. Jewish shops and businesses were looted, homes were destroyed and dozens of Jews were wounded.

Hundreds of their descendants have now signed a petition calling for the Defence Ministry to recognise the 1948 riots as a terrorist event, as this would allow for the establishment of a monument in the Jerusalem area, where a majority of them live.

Abraham Cohen, a descendant of a family that lost seventeen members in the violence, said that the move would “correct a historic injustice that cries out to heaven.”

The people who were murdered “deserve to be remembered,” he said. “We aren’t asking for special budgets or pensions. We only ask that someone care enough about their commemoration,” said Mr Cohen. He also suggested that the attacks should be included in the school curriculum “so that today’s generation will learn about the riots.”

He added that “for generations” they had “longed to hold a ceremony on the anniversary of the murders at a monument that is established in Jerusalem.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

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Mixed messages on whether French prisoner subjected to antisemitic harassment in Turkish prison may be repatriated

Turkish officials have agreed in principle to repatriate a French prisoner allegedly suffering antisemitic abuse in prison.

Campaigners in France say that Fabien Azoulay, 43, who is four years into a sixteen-year jail sentence for drug offences, has reportedly been subjected to abuse, harassment and mistreatment in prison in the city of Giresun because he is Jewish and “because of his sexual orientation.” The charges relate to the drug GBL, which prosecutors claim he intended to distribute. An appeals court rejected his claim that the substance was for personal use. Developed for medical use, GBL is implicated as a date-rape drug but is also popular in the gay club scene.

While Turkey’s Ambassador to France said that Turkey had “no objection in principle” to a prison transfer, the Turkish Embassy in Paris issued a statement saying that Mr Azoulay was not Jewish. “Claims that this individual is Jewish are unfounded, as his lawyers can also confirm,” noted the statement.

Carole-Olivia Montenot, a lawyer for Mr Azoulay, said that he was “being intimidated” and that his fellow prisoners “summon him to convert to Islam” and to pray five times a day. She said he was also harassed “because of his sexual orientation.”

A petition in France calling on the French government to accelerate the repatriation process received more than 80,000 signatures within three days.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

Image credit: Change.org

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More antisemitic graffiti found in Tottenham Hale include “Holohoax” and “Hitler was right” messages

Antisemitic graffiti promoting Holocaust denial and Nazi symbols has been found in Tottenham Hale.

Shocking antisemitic sentiments were found scrawled along Daneland Walk in Tottenham Hale promoting Holocaust denial. Written against a property billboard, one section of graffiti read: “COVIDHOAX + HOLOHOAX = JEW WORLD ORDER”

‘Holohoax’ is a word used by Holocaust-deniers to portray the extermination of six million Jews as a fraud that has been carried out by the Jewish people for financial gain, while anti-lockdown and anti-vaccination networks have become known as hotbeds of antisemitic conspiracy theories and tropes.

In a similar message, “COVID IS A LIE HOLOCAUST IS A LIE F*** THE JEWS” was found nearby with graffiti of a swastika beside it.

“F*** THE JEWS HITLER WAS RIGHT” was also spotted along the walk.

The handwriting used in these messages appeared to be similar to the antisemitic graffiti scrawled on a nearby Tottenham Hale billboard, on which we reported earlier. The billboard is situated on Ashley Road in Tottenham Hale, close to the large Jewish community in Stamford Hill and also near Tottenham Hotspur’s stadium. The football club has recently been the target of antisemitic abuse, including over the abortive European Super League proposal.

A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “This series of incidents of antisemitic graffiti are abhorrent and have no place on British streets, let alone so near a Jewish community. The graffiti must be removed and the perpetrators must be found. All citizens have a right to walk our streets without being confronted with racist graffiti and incitement.”

We are grateful to a member of the public who brought these images to our attention.

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s analysis of Home Office statistics shows that an average of over three hate crimes are directed at Jews every single day in England and Wales, with Jews almost four times more likely to be targets of hate crimes than any other faith group.

Image credit: Talia Cohen

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“F***” the Jews” graffitied onto billboard in Tottenham Hale

“F***” the Jews” has been found graffitied onto a billboard in North London.

The billboard is situated on Ashley Road in Tottenham Hale, close to the large Jewish community in Stamford Hill and also near Tottenham Hotspur’s stadium. The football club has recently been the target of antisemitic abuse, including over the abortive European Super League proposal.

The graffiti was reported earlier this week by Stamford Hill Shomrim, the Jewish volunteer neighbourhood watch patrol.

If you have any more information, please contact the police on 101 or Stamford Hill Shomrim on 0300 999 0123, quoting reference number: CAD 3737 20/04/21.

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s analysis of Home Office statistics shows that an average of over three hate crimes are directed at Jews every single day in England and Wales, with Jews almost four times more likely to be targets of hate crimes than any other faith group.

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Lawyers for sister of Sarah Halimi announce lawsuit under Israeli law to convict antisemitic murderer after French court rules he cannot be held responsible

Lawyers for the sister of murdered retired doctor and schoolteacher Sarah Halimi have announced that they will be bringing a lawsuit under Israeli law to convict her antisemitic murderer, Kobili Traoré, after France’s highest court ruled he cannot be held responsible for his actions because he was high on cannabis.

Dr Halimi’s sister, Esther Lekover, is an Israeli citizen and the lawyers stated that they intend to make use of an Israeli law that allows them to take action over the murder even though it was committed outside of Israel.

French lawyers Gilles-William Goldnadel and Francis Szpiner said in a statement in French that they: “deplore being forced to make use of this procedure, but cannot accept a denial of justice which tramples reason and justice, reaching far beyond the Jewish community of France.”

In 2017, Dr Halimi, a 65-year-old retired schoolteacher found Mr Traoré in her Paris apartment. He had reportedly subjected her to years of abuse. Mr Traoré savagely beat Dr Halimi, shouting “Allahu akhbar” and then hurled her from her window to her death, shouting “I killed the Shaitan [demon]”.

For months, French authorities refused to admit the antisemitic nature of his crime. Dr Halimi’s murderer, a violent drug dealer, claimed that he had felt “possessed” because he was high on cannabis and should not be held responsible.

France’s highest court has now ruled in his favour, meaning that in France today, it is possible to be sentenced to a year in prison for throwing a dog from a window, but if you hurl a Jew to their death whilst on drugs, you walk free.

In addition to the lawsuit being filed in Israel, Dr Halimi’s family is considering an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights.

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for a change in the law.

For years, France has gradually betrayed its Jews by allowing antisemitism to run rampant, putting French Jews in fear. This Sunday 25th April, to coincide with demonstrations in France, we will rally outside the Embassy of France in London to stand in solidarity with French Jews. By agreement with the authorities, due to COVID-19 restrictions, only those who have registered to attend will be permitted entry to the enclosure. Capacity is limited, so please only register if you are certain you can attend.

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Driver yells “Heil Hitler” at “traumatised” Jewish pedestrian at Clapton Common

A driver reportedly shouted “Heil Hitler” while driving past a Jewish pedestrian in Stamford Hill earlier this week.

The victim was left “traumatised” and Hackney police are currently investigating.

The incident took place at Clapton Common last week and was reported by Stamford Hill Shomrim, the Jewish volunteer neighbourhood watch patrol.

If you have any more information, please contact the police on 101 or Stamford Hill Shomrim on 0300 999 0123, quoting reference number: CAD 3331 15/04/21

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s analysis of Home Office statistics shows that an average of over three hate crimes are directed at Jews every single day in England and Wales, with Jews almost four times more likely to be targets of hate crimes than any other faith group.

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Canvey Island Jews targeted with antisemitic abuse after announcing plans to build new synagogue

The growing community of Charedi Jews in Canvey has been targeted with antisemitic abuse after announcing plans to build a new synagogue.

Local Canvey Island leaders have raised concerns regarding the effect that the planned synagogue may have on the surrounding area, such as noise pollution and traffic, with others also worried that the synagogue’s architecture may not fit in with the other buildings on Canvey Island.

However, while most of the concerns raised were presented as genuine and civil, some Facebook users on the ‘Canvey Island action group’ used the opportunity to spew vile antisemitic vitriol.

One of the comments read: “I’ve objected. P***ed off my 13 yr old has to walk in the road, around their [Charedi Jews] f ing vans dropping 100’s of kids off”…if they allow this more will move here.”

Another wrote: “All they do is take and no give, what is happening here ?????”

Referring to the Jewish community of Stamford Hill, one user said: “Stamford Hill slung them all out, because they took over everything just like they are doing on the island. Unfortunately they don’t think about people around them, it’s their way or no way.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism continues its robust engagement with social media companies over the content that they enable to be published, and we continue to make representations to the Government in this connection.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has long called for tougher regulations on social media sites and that social networks proactively search for and remove hate speech from their platforms.

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Police investigate antisemitic graffiti in Long Island playground

Police are investigating antisemitic graffiti found in a Long Island playground, under the direct orders of New York’s Governor, Andrew Cuomo.

Antisemitic language and symbols were found on 4th April in Setauket Elementary School in East Setauket, reportedly carved into the playground’s slides. The graffiti has since been removed.

Gov. Cuomo ordered the Suffolk County Police Hate Crimes Unit to investigate and stated: “I am appalled at media reports on the discovery of antisemitic graffiti on Setauket Elementary School’s playground equipment on Long Island.

“This hateful graffiti is diametrically opposed to the values of tolerance and understanding that are pillars of the society we’ve built in New York State, and the fact that it was found in a place of learning for young children makes it even more disturbing.” 

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

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In disgraceful decision, French Court of Cassation deems Sarah Halimi’s killer not fit to stand trial because he was high at the time of antisemitic murder

France’s Court of Cassation has ruled that Sarah Halimi’s killer could not be held to stand trial due to being high on cannabis whilst committing the murder.

In 2017, Ms Halimi, a 65-year-old Jewish woman, was murdered by her 27-year-old Muslim neighbour, Kobili Traoré, after he tortured her before pushing her out of a window to her death.

Mr Traoré was said to have yelled “Allah Akbar,” “I killed the shaitan,” which is an Arabic word for ‘devil’ or ‘demon’, along with antisemitic vitriol.

In December 2019, France’s lower court ruled that Mr Traoré could not be held to stand trial as he was under the influence of cannabis at the time, which was said to have affected his judgment.

This decision provoked thousands of French Jews and their supporters to rally in Paris last year in order to protest the decision by the French Court of Appeal that Mr Traoré was “not criminally responsible” for his actions. Ms Halimi was routinely insulted in their building, Mr Traoré conceded that seeing a Jewish menorah and prayer book in the 65-year-old lady’s flat intensified his mental state and even the court acknowledged that the attack was antisemitic.

The lower court’s ruling was upheld by France’s Court of Cassation late last week. This most recent ruling from the Court of Cassation has sparked outrage across Jewish communities, with many, including France’s President, Emmanuel Macron, calling for reforms in French law.

In an interview with Le Figaro magazine, President Macron said: “Deciding to take drugs and then ‘becoming mad’ should not in my eyes remove your criminal responsibility. On this topic, I would like the Minister of Justice to submit a change to the law as soon as possible.

“It is not for me to comment on a court decision, but I would like to tell the family, relatives of the victim and all fellow citizens of the Jewish faith who were awaiting this trial of my warm support and the determination of the Republic to protect them.”

A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “After the Holocaust, in which France did so little to protect its Jewish citizens, the nation swore to defend the Jews who remained against their tormentors. This latest decision, with France’s highest court determining that torturing and throwing an elderly Jewish woman out of a window cannot be ascribed to antisemitic motivations if the attacker is high, is a betrayal of that pledge.

“The fact that this cruel antisemitic murder has been punished less than a similar crime committed against a dog would be, tells you how the French authorities view Jews and how unserious they are about protecting them.

“In view of this attitude, it is little wonder that so many Jews have fled France in recent years and that fewer than half of British Jews believe that the Jewish community has a long-term future in Europe.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

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Jewish gravestones in Belfast desecrated in antisemitic hate crime

Ten Jewish gravestones in Belfast City Cemetery were desecrated in an antisemitic hate crime.

The desecration is believed to have taken place last week on 15th April.

Sinn Fein councillor Steven Corr, along with other Sinn Fein members, were active participants in the clean-up crew. He posted photos of the scene on Facebook, writing: “We work continuously after attacks on all graves belonging to all denominations, all religions, adults and children and these unbelievable attacks on the headstones of dead people needs to stop. Let them Rest in Peace.”

Inspector Róisín Brown of the Police Service of Northern Ireland stated: “I am appalled at these criminal acts. City Cemetery, like any graveyard, is a place where members of the community come to pay their respects. The damage to these graves shows a total lack of respect for others and will have a significant impact on individuals and families within the Jewish Community.

“We are investigating this incident as a hate crime, but we need help from the local community in West Belfast to hold those responsible to account for their actions.

“If you saw anyone acting suspiciously in the City Cemetery yesterday evening, or if you have information that would help our investigation, I am asking you to please contact us on the non-emergency number 101 quoting reference 713 16/04/21.”

Stephen Silverman, Director of Investigations and Enforcement at Campaign Against Antisemitism, said: “Vandalism of Jewish graves is a cowardly act, but all too common in Britain and abroad. We can honour the dead by ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to justice, and we support the efforts of the Police Service of Northern Ireland in doing so.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s analysis of Home Office statistics shows that an average of over three hate crimes are directed at Jews every single day in England and Wales, with Jews almost four times more likely to be targets of hate crimes than any other faith group.

Image credit: Cllr Steven Corr

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Cambridge University graduate called for extermination of Jews and defended Hitler, court hears

A graduate of Cambridge University “called for the extermination of all Jewish people,” Manchester Crown Court has heard.

Oliver Bel, 24, of Salford, was also said to have been in possession of a bomb-making manual. He denies the terror charges, claiming that his interest in the book was only “academic.”

However, in 2016 Mr Bel was reportedly in contact with members of National Action, a far-right neo-Nazi terrorist organisation. National Action was proscribed as a terrorist organisation in December 2016 following a long campaign by Campaign Against Antisemitism and others. Under section 11 of the Terrorism Act 2000, membership of a proscribed terrorist organisation is a criminal offence.

The court heard that Mr Bel expressed views in “preserving racial superiority.” The court was also told that Mr Bel “harboured and possibly still does harbour extreme right-wing views.”

Prosecutor Joe Allman told the court that in addition to declaring himself a National Socialist, Mr Bel “had held Jews responsible for ‘the communist revolution and pretty much every other progressive movement since then.’”

Mr Bel had also allegedly made several heinous claims, apparently calling for the extermination of the Jews as well as claiming that only 200,000 Jews died in the Holocaust, not 6 million.

Mr Bel was said to have had a track record of troubling online posts. Jurors heard that Mr Bel posted on Facebook: “I just want to go on a killing spree,” and posting just a day later, “Hate them Jews, kill them all then kill all n******.”

The court was told that it was only after Mr Bel made several antisemitic comments, which extended to defending Adolf Hitler, on the Young Free Speech society Facebook page that the Counter Terrorism Unit began to pay attention to him.

It was said that an officer from the Prevent Programme, a division of the Counter Terrorism Unit, spoke to Mr Bel in person. However, Mr Bel continued to espouse “angry and racist views online,” prosecutors said.

In a raid of Mr Bel’s house, anti-terror police found Nazi memorabilia and books about Hitler, with Mr Bel reportedly adding: “I have got more extremist material than that, I have got the Anarchist Cookbook,” which is a guide to making bombs and illegal drugs at home, written during the 1970s.

Jurors also heard that when the police were examining Mr Bel’s phone, which Mr Bel apparently attempted to hide from them, they found conversations between him and Alex Davies, founder of National Action.

In addition to controversial images, they also reportedly found an article written about Mr Bel for the anti-fascist website, Hope Not Hate. The article was said to have included Mr Bel’s online posts, in which he was said to have written: “Jews are parasites, well known for nepotism and financial corruption, with a background of communist revolution and pretty much every progressive movement from there… Extermination is the best option for them.”

The trial continues.

Last year, members of the proscribed National Action group were sentenced to prison, having engaged, amongst other activities, in far-right stickering and recruitment campaigns.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has been monitoring and acting against the threat from the far-right for years and continues to support the authorities following suit.

Image credit: Hope Not Hate

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Virtual church service in California zoombombed by racists spouting antisemitic hate speech during Passover

Congregants attending a virtual Easter service at Grace Baptist Church in San Jose, California were zoombombed with hateful antisemitic hate speech on the last day of Passover.

Zoombombing is when people join a Zoom video call with the intention of derailing it. This usually involves spewing antisemitic, racist, or otherwise hateful rhetoric.

One culprit can be heard saying: “F*** the f*****g Jews, man. Send Jews to the concentration camp and gas all the f*****g stinky Jews.”

The perpetrators also spouted several homophobic and racist slurs.

The church’s Senior Pastor, Reverend George Oliver, believed that the church was a target for racists owing to its particularly progressive nature.

Reverend Oliver said: “They had a purpose. This church hires a gay, black pastor…they come and spew profanity about black people and LGBTQ persons. And on the last day of Passover, talk about gassing Jews? So, I don’t think this is some kind of coincidence.”

He added: “It was vile and repugnant. Not only was it Easter, which is the highest of holidays for the Christians, it was the last day of Passover. It was also the day that Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated.”

A spokesman for Zoom reportedly said: “We have been deeply upset to hear about these types of incidents, and Zoom strongly condemns such behaviour. We have recently updated a number of default settings and added features to help hosts more easily access in-meeting security controls, including controlling screen sharing, removing and reporting participants, and locking meetings, among other actions. We have also been educating users on security best practices for setting up their meetings, including recommending that users avoid sharing private meeting links and passwords publicly on websites, social media, or other public forums, and encouraging anyone hosting large-scale or public events to utilize Zoom’s webinar solution.

“We are committed to maintaining an equal, respectful and inclusive online environment for all our users. We take meeting disruptions extremely seriously and where appropriate, we work closely with law enforcement authorities. We encourage users to report any incidents of this kind to Zoom and law enforcement authorities so the appropriate action can be taken against offenders.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism has previously reported on the phenomenon of ‘Zoom bombing’ and has urged communal institutions to take precautions to safeguard against antisemitic disruption of online events.

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Police identify suspect over antisemitic graffiti on Canadian Jewish centre

Police have identified one of the suspects whom they believe plastered antisemitic graffiti on the side of the Chabad Centre for Jewish Life and Learning in Victoria, Canada.  

Two suspects were caught on surveillance vandalising the Chabad Centre on Glasgow Street, and the incident was reported on 6th April. A few days later, one of the suspects came forward.

Police are still investigating, and the graffiti has since been removed.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

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GMB union official allegedly refers to victims of antisemitism as “rich b****** Jews” in speech at Christmas party

A former senior official from the GMB union allegedly referred to victims of antisemitism as “rich b****** Jews” in an appalling speech, sources claim.

The speech was said to have taken place at the GMB Southern Region Christmas Party in November 2019 at the Holiday Inn in Guilford, Surrey.

The former official reportedly stated that he hoped that Jeremy Corbyn would not lose the General Election due to “false” antisemitism allegations against the Labour Party. He then was said to have professed that the issue of antisemitism within the Labour Party was perpetuated by “rich b****** Jews”.

Several complaints were made regarding the official’s remarks and GMB’s acting General Secretary, Warren Kenny, is believed to have reported the matter to ACAS, a non-departmental government organisation responsible for resolving workplace disputes, for a review of the incident.

A GMB spokesperson said: “GMB takes any allegation of antisemitism – or any form of racism – incredibly seriously. We have a zero tolerance policy and any report made is investigated thoroughly by the union. As a union that includes the Union of Jewish Garment Workers we stand shoulder to shoulder with Jewish communities in tackling the scourge of antisemitism across the globe.”

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Leader of neo-Nazi group Atomwaffen Division pleads guilty to threatening antisemitism activists and journalists

The leader of a neo-Nazi group that made terror threats against American Jewish journalists and antisemitism activists has pleaded guilty to federal charges of conspiracy and hate crimes.

Cameron Shea, 25, from Redmond in the State of Washington is allegedly the leader of the neo-Nazi Atomwaffen Division (German for “Atomic weapon”). According to the American Department of Justice, he and three co-defendants were charged with conspiring to identify journalists and antisemitism advocates in order to threaten them.

After the group made posters featuring Nazi symbols and threats, Mr Shea allegedly ordered the members to put them up at the homes of journalists in cities around the US, including Tampa, Seattle and Phoenix. Mr Shea allegedly also posted some himself, including one to a member of the ADL that read: “Our patience has its limits…you have been visited by your local Nazis”.

Atomwaffen Division has been linked to several killings, including the shooting of two men in Tampa, Florida in 2017, and a student in California in 2018.

Two of Mr Shea’s co-defendants pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charges and were sentenced in December. The fourth, Kaleb Cole pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.

The US Attorney’s Office says that Mr Shea faces a maximum prison sentence of 15 years. More than a dozen people linked to Atomwaffen Division and an off-shoot, Feuerkrieg (meaning “firepower”), have been charged with federal crimes since the groups were formed in 2016.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

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Antisemitic mock hangings in Sweden and Denmark reminiscent of blood libel

Two macabre antisemitic mock hangings in which dolls were strung up and daubed with red paint representing blood took place in Sweden and Denmark over Passover.

The first incident, at a synagogue in Norrköping, is being investigated by Swedish police who have classified the message found at the scene as incitement.

An apparent copy of the Swedish incident took place outside a Jewish cemetery in Aalborg, Denmark, which also featured dolls, red paint and antisemitic messages. At both scenes, the messages described Passover as “a Jewish celebration of death” in an allusion to the tenth plague. Police in Denmark are investigating the incident.

There were calls for the neo-Nazi Nordic Resistance Movement (NRM) to be treated as a prime suspect after the NRM published a picture of the Norrköping “hanging” on its website, allegedly the evening before its discovery. The NRM is banned in Finland.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

Image credit: NRM

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Jews in Paris prevent antisemitic knife attack

Jewish residents in Paris chased and apprehended a man whom they suspected of trying to stab three Jews. The man was then handed over to the police.

The incident took place on the evening of 31st March near a synagogue in Sarcelles, a suburb in northern Paris with a large Sephardic Jewish community.

Witnesses say that the man, a 35-year-old from Pakistan, approached three Jewish men, all wearing kippot and therefore visibly Jewish, from behind while carrying a large knife. 

Residents caused a commotion in order to alert the Jewish men who all escaped unharmed. The man was then chased and apprehended.

This is only the most recent antisemitic incident which has taken place in France.

On 29th December, a Jewish cemetery near Strasbourg was desecrated with swastikas and antisemitic slogans.

On 17th December, four men were arrested after they attacked a Jewish family for listening to Hebrew songs in their car. The attack took place in Aubervilliers, less than a 45-minute drive away from the Sarcelles incident.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

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Research shows online antisemitism has increased during COVID-19 pandemic

Research from Tel Aviv University has shown that online antisemitism has increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conversely, physical antisemitism has decreased, with reported, violent incidents dropping from 456 to 371.

The trends are due to a variety of reasons, according to the research, including the increased amount of time people spent on their computers in isolation and the spread of Covid-sceptic, antisemitic conspiracies theories which blamed Jews for not only the effects of the virus but its inception.

Theories also accused Jews and the Jewish state of intentionally spreading the virus in order to profit from the vaccine.

Comparisons between lockdown restrictions and Nazi Germany are also rife, with several anti-lockdown groups using symbols and imagery from the Holocaust. Anti-lockdown and anti-vaccination networks have become known as hotbeds of antisemitic conspiracy theories and tropes.

Along with the increased usage of Zoom came countless incidents of antisemitic Zoom bombing. Campaign Against Antisemitism has previously reported on the phenomenon of ‘Zoom bombing’ and has urged communal institutions to take precautions to safeguard against antisemitic disruption of online events.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

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Far-left student group reportedly vandalises “Zionist Synagogue” and harasses Canadian Jews

A far-left Canadian student group, which has previously referred to Vancouver’s Temple Sholom as a “Zionist Synagogue,” is allegedly engaged in a campaign of harassment against the Toronto Jewish community.

During Passover, graffiti attacking the International Definition of Antisemitism and allegedly signed by the Revolutionary Student Movement (RSM) was found at a Toronto train station. Over the following weekend, a number of other sites were defaced, including a bank in a Jewish neighbourhood which was spray-painted with “Freedom for Ahmad Sa’adat! Death to Zionism!” alongside the Communist hammer and sickle symbol.

Ahmad Sa’adat, who is in prison in Israel, is General-Secretary of the the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). The PFLP, which opposed the existence of Israel entirely, has also targeted Jewish schoolchildren and was responsible for other massacres of civilians.

The RSM proclaims that it is guided by Marxist, Leninist, Maoist and “Gonzalo” principles (the latter being an allusion to the leader of Peru’s murderous revolutionary “Shining Path” terror group). RSM has also openly endorsed antisemitic vandalism. Last year, pictures sent by “supporters” who had spray-painted “Free Palestine” outside Vancouver’s Temple Sholom, were hailed by the Vancouver branch of the group which described Temple Sholom as “a Zionist Synagogue.”

The community is working with law enforcement, with one communal leader saying that he is “confident that this terrorist-admiring cell will eventually be brought to justice.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

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Antisemitic graffiti found at home of Pittsburgh’s South Side Bears

Antisemitic graffiti has been discovered in Pittsburgh’s South Side. 

The graffiti was scrawled on the side of a concession stand at Quarry Field, home to the South Side Bears, a Pittsburgh youth American football team.

Kevin Alton, President of the South Side Bears, condemned the vandalism, stating: “The South Side is not for hate.”

An investigation has been launched by the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto said that the city would cover the costs of the clean-up and would commission a mural artist to restore the original mural. 

Mayor Peduto said: “We’ll put together the funds in order to be able to improve this entire area, and we’ll send a message to anybody who wants to talk in hate that we’ll come back stronger.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

Image credit: Pittsburgh Bureau of Police

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Jewish cemetery in Aalborg, Denmark vandalised during Pesach

A Jewish cemetery in Aalborg, Denmark was vandalised during the Jewish festival of Passover.

Red paint, baby dolls and antisemitic literature relating to the blood libel conspiracy theory were left outside the cemetery.

Flyers were also deposited directing readers to a website that associated with the Nordic Resistance Movement, a Pan-Nordic neo-Nazi organisation that is proscribed in Finland.

Henri Goldstein, Chairman of Denmark’s Jewish community, said: “Historically, a lot of antisemitism with a physical outcome has started with, among other things, vandalism against cemeteries and Jewish shops.” He added: “The vandalism at the cemetery around Passover is simply as classic antisemitism as it can be. We have seen this for centuries in Europe.”

Security in Denmark has been elevated and the incident is being investigated as a hate crime. 

Danish politicians have condemned the attack. Justice Minister Nick Hækkerup declared that it was “outrageous and deeply shameful”.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

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Antisemitic graffiti discovered inside Albion College dormitory

Antisemitic graffiti has been discovered inside a dormitory stairwell of Albion College in Michigan.

The graffiti contained several racist remarks and references to the Ku Klux Klan. 

Albion community leaders, including Robert Dunklin, President of NAACP’s Albion branch, came together to support Albion College students and condemn the vandalism. 

Mr Dunklin said: “Students have been dealing with issues like COVID-19, locked in their dorms and now they have to deal with racial graffiti. It is not acceptable in this community. And we are here to stand with this community and the community of Albion College.” Mr Dunklin added: “Whoever it is, they’re best to come forward or get out of town.” 

Albion College President Mathew Johnson confirmed that the incident had been reported to police and was under investigation. Mr Johnson also stated that the college was offering a $1,000 reward for any information regarding the incident. 

Mr Johnson said: “The racist and antisemitic actions taken on our campus over the last week are cowardly and will not be tolerated. We are outraged and angered that this incident occurred within our community. In addition to caring for and protecting the students most directly impacted, and addressing the safety concerns of the broader student body, we are currently investigating who is responsible for racist graffiti on our campus.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

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75-year-old Jewish woman opens front door to man screaming at her that Jews should leave the UK

A 75-year-old Jewish woman opened her front door only to be confronted by a man screaming at her that Jews should leave the UK.

The incident took place on 26th March on Darenth Road in Stamford Hill and was reported by Stamford Hill Shomrim, the Jewish volunteer neighbourhood watch patrol.

If you have any more information, please contact the police on 101 or Stamford Hill Shomrim on 0300 999 0123, quoting reference number: CAD 6798 31/03/21.

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s analysis of Home Office statistics shows that an average of over three hate crimes are directed at Jews every single day in England and Wales, with Jews almost four times more likely to be targets of hate crimes than any other faith group.

Image credit: Google

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Teen charged after antisemitic graffiti discovered in Upstate New York

A teenager has been charged in connection with antisemitic graffiti discovered in parkland in Upstate New York.

New York State Police have charged the seventeen-year-old following an investigation. According to police, the “antisemitic Nazi” graffiti was found on 23rd March on a trail that runs through the small town of Mount Morris in New York State.

Police arrested the teenager on Sunday and charged him with fourth-degree criminal mischief which includes graffiti, and injury to property.

The graffiti has been removed.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

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In worrying first, police officer found guilty of belonging to proscribed neo-Nazi National Action terrorist group

A police officer has been found guilty of being a member of the banned neo-Nazi terrorist group National Action following his arrest last year.

Benjamin Hannam, a 22-year-old from Edmonton in North London, was suspended from duty by the Metropolitan Police after it was alleged that he belonged or professed to belong to the proscribed group between December 2016 and January 2018 and that he falsely represented himself in his application to join the Metropolitan Police in this connection.

Mr Hannam becomes the first police officer to be convicted of far-right terrorism after being found guilty at the Old Bailey today of membership in National Action, lying on his application to join the police and possessing guides to knife-fighting and bombmaking. It is understood that the ban on reporting the case was lifted after Mr Hannam admitted possessing an indecent image of a child.

It is understood that Mr Hannam, who reportedly has autism, was “desperate to impress” an older National Action organiser who gave him free stickers, but he ended his association with the organisation before he joined the Metropolitan Police.

The Head of the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command, which carried out the investigation, emphasised that there is no evidence that Mr Hannam abused his position at the police force to further his far-right views.

Mr Hannam had denied being a member of National Action before or after it was proscribed, and told the court that he had been attracted to fascism aged sixteen because of its artwork and propaganda and was under the impression that it was a youth network. He denied engaging in any stickering or propaganda campaigns and insisted that he only attended social events.

Mr Hannam’s sentencing is expected soon.

Other members of National Action were recently convicted and sentenced to prison for their role in the organisation.

National Action was proscribed as a terrorist organisation in December 2016 following a long campaign by Campaign Against Antisemitism and others. Under section 11 of the Terrorism Act 2000, membership of a proscribed terrorist organisation is a criminal offence.

Image credit: Metropolitan Police

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Police search for vandals who sprayed antisemitic graffiti on a home in Oxford

Police are searching for vandals who sprayed antisemitic graffiti on a home in Oxford.

The pair of suspects daubed a swastika on the front door of a house on Stubbs Avenue at 22:07 on 31st January, and Thames Valley Police have now released images and confirmed that they are pursuing the matter.

The vandals returned at 22:23 on the same evening and reportedly used a pole to break a CCTV camera on the property.

In a statement, the police said: “Criminal damage of this kind will never be tolerated and we are asking anyone who recognises these men to come forward and speak to us. Anyone with information should call police on 101 with reference 43210042799.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s analysis of Home Office statistics shows that an average of over three hate crimes are directed at Jews every single day in England and Wales, with Jews almost four times more likely to be targets of hate crimes than any other faith group.

Image credit: Thames Valley Police

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After four years, action by CAA finally puts notorious antisemite Alison Chabloz behind bars, and facing further charges

The notorious antisemite Alison Chabloz has today been found guilty of sending by a public communications network an offensive, indecent message or material and given a custodial sentence. The prosecution followed action by Campaign Against Antisemitism, which has been pursuing justice against Ms Chabloz for over four years.

Ms Chabloz, 57, was convicted at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on charges under section 127 of the Communications Act relating to two interviews that she gave to far-right online outlets. She then publicised the interviews via her account on Gab, a social network associated with the far-right, claiming that “anything that’s worth controlling will have Jews there controlling it” and accusing Jews of turning their children into “psychopathic maniacs” because they are “indoctrinated from birth” with the idea that “their grandparents were gassed.”

She also stated that Jews were persecuted in Nazi Germany because they “had been behaving in a certain fashion, as we’re seeing again today”, and that Jews who do not conform to her idea of Western values should be deported.

Declaring that the Jewish community needs to be protected and noting that Ms Chabloz committed the offence while on a suspended sentence following a separate conviction (which also arose from a landmark case brought about by Campaign Against Antisemitism), District Judge Michael Snow sentenced Ms Chabloz to eighteen weeks in prison, of which she will serve nine.

Ms Chabloz is a virulent antisemite and Holocaust denier who has an extensive record of using social media to publicise her hatred for Jews and to convert others to her views about Jewish people. Following a private prosecution by Campaign Against Antisemitism, which was later continued by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Ms Chabloz became the first person in Britain to be convicted over Holocaust denial in a precedent-setting case. Ms Chabloz previously spent a short time in custody for breaching the conditions of her sentence, but this will be her first substantial period in prison.

Ms Chabloz is fixated on the idea that the Holocaust did not occur, and that it was fabricated by Jews and their supporters as a vehicle for fraudulently extorting money in the form of reparations. This forms the basis for her second obsession, that Jews are liars and thieves who are working to undermine Western society. Ms Chabloz is also connected to extremist right-wing movements, at whose meetings she gives speeches and performs her songs, in the UK, France and North America. 

Stephen Silverman, Director of Investigations and Enforcement at Campaign Against Antisemitism, said: “Alison Chabloz’s repulsive opinions about Jews can be traced back to the beer halls of 1930s Germany. Despite already having been convicted of similar offences, she continued, while serving her suspended sentence, to use the internet to attempt to radicalise others and convert them to her hateful way of thinking about Jewish people.

“Today’s verdict and sentence finally give the Jewish community justice and protection from someone who has made a vocation out of denying the Holocaust and baiting Jews. It also sends a clear message to those who might be tempted to go down the same path.

“This is not the end. Ms Chabloz now faces even more serious charges on other matters that we have brought to the attention of the police. We will not rest until all antisemites like Alison Chabloz are behind bars, where they belong.”

In separate proceedings also resulting from action by Campaign Against Antisemitism, Ms Chabloz also faces charges of incitement to racial hatred.

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s analysis of Home Office statistics shows that an average of over three hate crimes are directed at Jews every single day in England and Wales, with Jews almost four times more likely to be targets of hate crimes than any other faith group.

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Teenager who called himself Hitler in online neo-Nazi group he created and promoted proscribed organisation admits terrorism offences

A teenager from Newcastle who called himself Hitler on numerous social media platforms and an online group that he created glorifying far-right violence has pleaded guilty to terrorism offences.

The sixteen-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted to four counts of inviting support for the proscribed neo-Nazi terror group, National Action, as well as three counts of encouraging terrorism and four counts of stirring racial and religious hatred.

He had reportedly posted antisemitic and anti-Muslim material and created stickers with his group’s logo, which he disseminated in his local area.

North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court, sitting as a youth court, sentenced him to a twelve-month intensive referral order. He will also be subject to terrorism notification requirements for ten years, mandating him to inform the authorities of his whereabouts and certain activities.

It is understood that the teenager has autism, and that this consideration impacted his sentencing.

Last year, members of the proscribed National Action group were sentenced to prison, having engaged, amongst other activities, in far-right stickering and recruitment campaigns.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has been monitoring and acting against the threat from the far-right for years and continues to support the authorities following suit.

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Calls for Public Inquiry amid claims Secret Intelligence Service protected alleged Nazi war criminals

Calls have been issued for a public inquiry amid claims that the Secret Intelligence Service (also known as MI6) protected alleged Nazi war criminals after WWII.

The controversy has arisen after the BBC discovered that a suspected Nazi collaborator, Stanislaw Chrzanowski, may have worked for the agency.

German authorities believe that he may have murdered tens of people during the Holocaust, while British police claimed that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute him. 

Mr Chrzanowski was suspected by his stepson of having committed atrocities against Jews and others in the town of Slonim in Belarus, and investigated his past and built a dossier of evidence, including eyewitness accounts.

Although British police interviewed Mr Chrzanowski, no charges were brought. He always denied being a war criminal and died in 2017. His stepson died six months later, but after handing a BBC journalist his dossier, for which the BBC has reportedly since found further supporting evidence.

It is believed that MI6 may have recruited Mr Chrzanowski at a refugee camp in Berlin, and experts believe that the agency would have known about Mr Chrzanowski’s past. However, in the late 1980s and 1990s, the agency destroyed tens of thousands of files pertaining to its agents to protect them from more draconian laws that would have put them at risk of prosecution. Mr Chrzanowski’s files may have been among them.

Conservative MP Robert Halfon called the BBC’s findings “horrific and frightening” and said that he intends to call on the Parliamentary Security Committee to investigate.

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Guilty verdict for man charged with terrorism offences after stockpiling neo-Nazi memorabilia and downloading bombmaking and knife-fighting guides

A man has been found guilty of three charges of possessing information useful for terrorism after stockpiling neo-Nazi memorabilia and downloading guides to bombmaking and knife-fighting.

Nicholas Brock, 53, who reportedly has tattoos of prominent Nazis and symbols, had a flag showing an eagle and swastika on his bedroom wall and a Nazi badge in his drawer, as well as other symbolic neo-Nazi items. The material was found in a raid on his home in Maidenhead as part of an unrelated investigation in which he was never charged. Further material was found on electronic devices, as well as flyers for the National Front, a copy of Hitler’s Mein Kampf and books about the Ku Klux Klan.

The prosecutor told Kingston Crown Court that his room was “filled to the brim with an eclectic mix of items, amongst them, items demonstrating an interest in extreme right wing and white supremacist ideology.”

The hard drive contained images of Mr Brock posing with swastikas and other items, as well as two manuals for an AK47 assault rifle and others for US army pistol training and explosives. There was also an “al Qaeda manual”. Among the documents were three that reportedly are useful for terrorists.

According to the prosecution, he had “no legitimate reason for possessing such information. He is not, for example, an academic, or a self-defence specialist. These are not everyday items or collectable memorabilia, but publications which contain detailed advice on how to create explosive devices, on how to kill and how to maim. They may of course be of use to someone planning any kind of violent attack; and they would certainly be of use to someone planning a terrorist attack.”

Sentencing is expected in May.Campaign Against Antisemitism’s analysis of Home Office statistics shows that an average of over three hate crimes are directed at Jews every single day in England and Wales, with Jews almost four times more likely to be targets of hate crimes than any other faith group.

Image Credit: Counter Terrorism Policing South East

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Swastika cap observed at Melbourne train station

A man wearing a cap emblazoned with a swastika was observed at Melbourne’s train station last Friday.

The man, spotted shortly after a football match, was photographed by a 23-year-old descendant of Holocaust survivors.

The Chariman of the Anti-Defamation Commission said: “From the special spot in hell reserved for such monsters, Hitler must be smiling, knowing that his followers are continuing his destructive legacy.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

Image credit: Anti-Defamation Commission

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Deliveroo courier stabs Just Eat deliveryman in antisemitic spat in Rome

Police in Rome are reportedly searching for a Deliveroo courier suspected of stabbing a fellow deliveryman in an antisemitic spat.

The incident took place outside a McDonald’s over the weekend, with the assailant reported to have ranted about the Jews as he and the other deliveryman, of Just Eat, waited. It is understood that the victim protested and the perpetrator stabbed him with a knife.

The victim was apparently left with lacerations on his face but was otherwise not seriously harmed. The assailant fled on his bicycle.

It is understood that both men are middle-aged.

Earlier this year, it was reported that Deliveroo and two delivery men in France are facing legal action  after two kosher restaurant owners in Strasbourg claimed that the delivery men had refused to deliver their food because for reasons of antisemitism.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

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Saxony legislator observes that antisemitic crimes are rising but prosecutions remain low

A legislator in the German state of Saxony has observed that, while antisemitic crimes are rising, prosecutions remain low.

Kerstin Köditz, of Die Linke (The Left Party), told journalists that 173 antisemitic crimes were recorded in 2020 – a fourth year-on-year increase – but only fourteen were successfully prosecuted.

Ms Köditz said: “The prosecution pressure is not even close to sufficient.”

She added: “One thing is clear: every act is one too many, no matter what area it comes from – hatred of Jews cannot be justified, there can be no tolerance whatsoever for antisemitism.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

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Police identify person of interest in case of antisemitic insults at Toronto bakery

Toronto police have identified a person of interest in a case of antisemitic insults at a bakery in the city.

The incident took place on 12th March at a bakery near Avenue Road and Eglinton Avenue and amounted to a “suspected hate-motivated assault”, according to police.

The bakery is located in a vibrant Jewish community.

A police spokesperson explained that “the man stepped outside with a witness when disagreement became heated. Outside, the man continued to make offensive comments. The victim intervened and challenged the suspect. He then punched the victim in the face.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

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Antisemitic graffiti daubed on Belarus synagogue

Antisemitic graffiti has been found on a synagogue in Belarus.

A swastika and SS mark were spray-painted on to the entrance of the Jewish Community of Gomel building earlier this month.

Gomel is 200 miles south-east of Minsk, and, while the city has historically hosted many Jews, there are currently only a few hundred remaining.

There are no suspects.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

Image credit: European Jewish Congress

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Cornish man charged with five offences under the Public Order Act

A Cornish man has been charged with five offences under the Public Order Act 1986 after reports from Campaign Against Antisemitism prompted an investigation by Devon and Cornwall Police.

Graham Hart, 68, of Penponds, Camborne, has been charged with five counts of using offending words or behaviour in a programme involving threatening, abusive or insulting visual images or sounds which was included in a programme service, intending thereby to stir up racial hatred or, having regard to all the circumstances, whereby racial hatred was likely to be stirred up.

The offences fall under sections 22(1) and 27(3) of the Public Order Act 1986.

Mr Hart is bailed to appear at Truro Magistrates Court on 26th April.

Stephen Silverman, Director of Investigations and Enforcement at Campaign Against Antisemitism, said: “Graham Hart has  been charged with five offences under the Public Order Act after our reports prompted an investigation by Devon and Cornwall Police. We are following the case with interest.”

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Suspect arrested in connection with vicious attack on visibly Jewish pregnant woman

A man has been arrested in connection with the vicious assault on a visibly Jewish pregnant woman in Stamford Hill.

The victim – a twenty-year-old woman who is 28-weeks pregnant – was rushed to hospital after being stalked, suffocated and viciously punched on Manor Road in Stamford Hill at 18:30 on 19th March.

The suspect, in his late fifties, was seen in footage stalking the victim before putting a pillowcase over her head to suffocate her while repeatedly and violently punching her.

The suspect is being held in custody on suspicious of grievous bodily harm (GBH).

Stephen Silverman, Director of Investigations and Enforcement at Campaign Against Antisemitism, said: “At a time of heightened concern over the safety of women on our streets, this violent assault on a visibly Jewish pregnant women is a particularly grotesque demonstration of antisemitic and misogynistic hate crime. We applaud the Stamford Hill Shomrim for reporting the incident and the police for their swift action, and expect that the perpetrator of this heinous crime will be brought to justice.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s analysis of Home Office statistics shows that an average of over three hate crimes are directed at Jews every single day in England and Wales, with Jews almost four times more likely to be targets of hate crimes than any other faith group.

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Swastika and other antisemitic symbols found at historic New York synagogue

A man has been arrested after drawing a swastika and other antisemitic symbols outside a prominent New York City synagogue.

Manuel Barrera, 50, allegedly drew a swastika in the snow outside Temple Emanu-El on Fifth Avenue before reportedly returning a few days later to draw other antisemitic symbols. He was arrested on charges of antisemitic aggravated harassment, according to police officials.

The official twitter account of the New York Police Department (NYPD) Hate Crimes Unit released a video of Mr Barrera in which he appears to be drawing a swastika in the snow beside the synagogue door. He is then seen appearing to return some days later to draw a pentagram, the number 666 and another swastika. These were drawn in chalk as the snow had melted.

Established in 1845 and relocated to Fifth Avenue in 1927, Temple Emanu-El was at one time the largest synagogue in the world.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

Image credit: NYPD

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Posters “antisemitic in nature” investigated by Vancouver police

Canadian police are investigating after a large number of antisemitic posters were put up in the Vancouver area of Kelowna.

The posters and decals were pasted along a busy thoroughfare and at Kelowna General Hospital. Police have not given details but described the material as “antisemitic in nature”.

In a news release, Kelowna police said that the initial complainant had removed a number of posters and municipal employees were continuing to remove them and that investigators had discovered more posters and decals “associated to the same group”. They are reviewing videos that could help “to identify those involved” as well as appealing for “dash-cam” videos and information.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

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Urgent appeal for witnesses after pregnant Jewish woman rushed to hospital after being stalked, suffocated and viciously punched

A pregnant Jewish woman has reportedly been rushed to hospital after being stalked, suffocated and viciously punched.

The attack took place on Manor Road in Stamford Hill at 18:30 on 19th March and was reported by Stamford Hill Shomrim, the Jewish volunteer neighbourhood watch patrol.

Shomrim and the police are urgently appealing for witnesses.

If you have any more information, please contact the police on 101 or Stamford Hill Shomrim on 0300 999 0123, quoting reference number: CAD8195 18/03/21.

Stephen Silverman, Director of Investigations and Enforcement at Campaign Against Antisemitism, said: “At a time of heightened concern over the safety of women on our streets, this violent assault on a visibly Jewish pregnant women is a particularly grotesque demonstration of antisemitic and misogynistic hate crime. We have put out an appeal for witnesses, and we urge anyone with information to contact the Stamford Hill Shomrim or the police so that this perpetrator can be brought to justice.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s analysis of Home Office statistics shows that an average of over three hate crimes are directed at Jews every single day in England and Wales, with Jews almost four times more likely to be targets of hate crimes than any other faith group.

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Capitol Hill police officer suspended after “Protocols” found at security post

A police officer who serves with the Capitol Police has been suspended after a copy of the virulently antisemitic Protocols of the Elders of Zion was found on a table at a security post.

According to The Washington Post, photographs of the printed copy of the Protocols were provided by congressional aide Zach Fisch, who saw it on a table by a security post inside a Capitol administrative building.

The newspaper then provided the photos to the Capitol Police, asking for comment. The officer was suspended by the department’s acting chief who said that they took “all allegations of inappropriate behaviour seriously.” The officer will remain suspended pending the outcome of an investigation by the Office of Professional Responsibility.

Mr Fisch said that he was “extremely rattled” by seeing the document in light of the 6th January storming of the Capitol in which rioters were seen wearing neo-Nazi clothing including one who wore a t-shirt with the slogan “Camp Auschwitz.” Some members of the Capitol Police have since been under scrutiny for their actions during the riot after video footage was seen showing rioters bypassing security with ease.

The Protocols were fabricated by Czarist Russia in 1903 and are renowned as a piece of viciously antisemitic literature. They purport to “reveal” the secret plans of Jewish leaders to achieve world domination and have been used as a pretext for anti-Jewish racism and violence since their manufacture. According to the Post, the photographs of this printed copy show tattered and stained pages held together by a bulldog-type clip and bore a date stamp indicating that it was printed in January 2019. 

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

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Interpol drops warrant for terrorist who masterminded Jerusalem pizzeria bombing that killed 15

An international arrest warrant for a terrorist who orchestrated a Jerusalem bombing that killed fifteen people has been dropped.

The International Police Organisation, commonly known as Interpol, has apparently abandoned its pursuit of Jordanian terrorist Ahlam Tamimi, who orchestrated the 2001 bombing of the Sbarro pizzeria in Jerusalem in which fifteen people were killed, including seven children and a pregnant woman. Another 130 people were injured. The attack is considered to have been the work of the antisemitic genocidal terrorist group, Hamas.

In a letter published on 8th March in Arabic-language media, the law-enforcement organisation said that Ms Tamimi was no longer “subject to Interpol notice.” Ms Tamimi, who has lived in Jordan since being released from an Israeli prison as part of a prisoner exchange in 2011, also appears to have been removed from Interpol’s red-notice “most-wanted” list.

Ms Tamimi’s husband, the convicted terrorist Nizar Tamimi, triumphantly confirmed the news on his Facebook page, saying: “After a legal battle …the defence for freed prisoner Ahlam Al-Tamimi achieved the erasure of the red notice…With this legal victory, her name was removed from the wanted list of Interpol. Praise be to God.”

Mr Tamimi, who was deported from Jordan last year and now resides in Qatar, added: “Our struggle will continue until her file is completely closed.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

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Montreal police arrest man in connection with horrific desecration of synagogue

A man has appeared in a Montreal court charged with the desecration of a synagogue in a Montreal suburb.

Patrice Belley-Gervais appeared in connection with May 2020 desecration and vandalism at the Congregation Sepharde Kol Yehudaa, a small synagogue in the Cote-St-Luc suburb with a large Jewish population.

When congregants returned to the synagogue after its lengthy closure due to COVID-19 restrictions, they found that it had been trashed with walls covered in antisemitic graffiti, religious items strewn on the floor and Torah scrolls stuffed down a toilet. At the time, one congregant described it as “carnage”, while a leading activist group called it “one of the worst such incidents in years.”

The arrest of Mr Belley-Gervais by Montreal Police follows the earlier arrest of Adam Riga (known also as Adam Rickett), 28, charged in January with defacing Montreal’s famed Shaar Hashomayim Synagogue with antisemitic graffiti, uttering threats and trying to commit arson.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

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Local head of Turkish-Islamic association in Germany resigns after meme of US Presidents controlled by Rothschilds and other social media posts exposed

The chairman of a Turkish-Islamic association in the German city of Göttingen has resigned after antisemitic hate messages and conspiracy myths that he had allegedly posted on social media were exposed by a socialist youth organisation.

The group, Die Falken, claimed that Mustafa Keskin’s WhatsApp profile featured a meme depicting Donald Trump and Joe Biden as “old and new puppets” of investment bankers with a prominent member of the Rothschild family as the “puppet-master”.

According to the International Definition of Antisemitism, “Making mendacious, dehumanising, demonising, or stereotypical allegations about Jews as such or the power of Jews as collective — such as, especially but not exclusively, the myth about a world Jewish conspiracy or of Jews controlling the media, economy, government or other societal institutions” is an example of antisemitism.

The youth group said that it had been “horrified” to discover that Mr Keskin was spreading antisemitic hate messages and conspiracy myths on WhatsApp and Facebook and stated on its website that this was not acceptable “for a community leader in Göttingen.”

Mr Keskin claimed that, as an interfaith leader, he had recently participated in a “Roundtable of Abrahamic Faiths” event with Jewish and Christian colleagues and that his postings were intended only as “criticisms of the Israeli government.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

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Latest antisemitic graffiti at San Diego State University believed unconnected to earlier incidents

Swastikas and white supremacist slogans have been found at a campus dormitory at San Diego State University.

Earlier this year a swastika was found in a parking area at the southern California college. Police are investigating both incidents.

A statement from college officials condemned the incidents, saying: “SDSU…condemns any action meant to discriminate or harass anyone based on their social identity or religious affiliation”. The statement added: “Hate-motivated actions, such as this, and those reported earlier, have no place in our world, and offend us all.”

It is believed that the “parking lot swastika” and the most recent incident had different perpetrators. Jewish organisations, University authorities and the police are cooperating “to try to connect the dots”, according to one Jewish group.

In February 2020, the University PShabbat resident, Adela de la Torre, intervened to condemn anti-Jewish rhetoric and antisemitism after members of a group called Uhuru were prevented from bringing their group’s founder, Omali Yeshitela, to campus. Jewish groups objected saying that Mr Yeshitela had espoused Jew-hate. Uhuru members later claimed that SDSU was “controlled by Zionist masters.”

At the time, the director of SDSU’s Jewish Studies programme, Risa Levitt said a demonstration by Uhuru members included “some pretty horrific antisemitic, anti-Jewish tropes.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

We are seeking to recruit a General Counsel a Creative Communications and Events Officer a Communications and Research Manager an Education and Outreach Intern to join our London office

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Campaign Against Antisemitism is a volunteer-led charity dedicated to exposing and countering antisemitism through education and zero-tolerance enforcement of the law. Everything that we do is done by people who volunteer their time, using donations contributed by members of the public. Join the fight against antisemitism by subscribing to our updates, volunteering, or donating.