We must unite together!

During December antisemitic graffiti and violence was reported in both America and the UK. On the evening of Saturday 28th December 2019 antisemitic graffiti was sprayed on shop windows and a synagogue wall in the Hampstead area of north London. The graffiti depicted the red cross of David as well as 9/11.

Tulip Siddiq, Labour MP for Hampstead and Kilburn tweeted her disgust and disbelief at the attacks.

Camden councillor Oliver Cooper tweeted a picture of “9.11” on the wall of the South Hampstead synagogue  “This is a place of peace and prayer, desecrated by the world’s oldest hatred,” he said.

Sir Keir Starmer Labour MP for Holborn said the graffiti was disgusting and that we should stand with the Jewish community against antisemitism.

Councillor Georgia Gould (Leader of Camden Council), Keir Starmer (MP for Holborn and St Pancras) and Tulip Siddiq (MP for Hampstead and Kilburn) have released the following joint statement (which can be read in full here).

“As the Leader of Camden and MPs for Hampstead and Kilburn, and Holborn and St Pancras, we are horrified at the anti-Semitic graffiti that has been drawn on buildings around Hampstead and Belsize Park, including South Hampstead Synagogue. Camden is and always will be no place for hate. We stand together with all of our Jewish residents and our whole community in saying these cowardly pedlars of hate do not represent Camden and our values. We are proud to have a strong, vibrant Jewish community as part of our beautiful borough.

This is not an isolated incident and we must all confront the rising tide of hate crime and antisemitism in the UK. Now is the moment to find the courage to confront hatred and prejudice wherever we see it.”

Labour Party leader, Jeremy Corbyn sent his “love and solidarity to Jewish communities around the world”

Eminent historian Simon Schama, whose books include The Story of the Jews, commented: “Taken together with the stabbings in New York something truly monstrous is rising from the slime.”

Rabbi Sacks, a faith leader, philosopher and author echoes the thoughts that action needs to be taken now:

Since the attacks have happened the graffiti has been removed and the Metropolitan Police have launched an investigation into racially motivated hate crime.

What can you do?

It is important that we all stand together against antisemitism and all forms of hate crime and racism. You can join the protests on UN anti-racism day on Saturday 21st March. There is a March Against Racism being held in London from 12:00 – 16:00. More details are available by clicking here.

If you witness any anti-Semitic hate crime such as violence, abuse, or vandalism – please contact the police on 101 and the @CST_UK on  0800 0323263.