DistantNews
๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฑ Israel /Crime & Justice

London police charge man with attempted murder in antisemitic Golders Green stabbing attack

From Jerusalem Post · (4m ago) English Critical tone

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • London police charged a 45-year-old man with attempted murder and possession of a bladed article following a stabbing attack in Golders Green.
  • Britain raised its national terrorism threat level to "severe" from "substantial" after the antisemitic incident.
  • Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar denounced the UK's handling of antisemitism, calling for a ban on slogans like "Globalise the Intifada."

In a significant development, London's Metropolitan Police have charged a 45-year-old man, Essa Suleiman, with two counts of attempted murder and one count of possession of a bladed article. This action follows a Counter Terrorism Policing investigation into a stabbing attack that occurred in Golders Green, a predominantly Jewish area. The incident has understandably heightened security concerns, leading Britain to elevate its national terrorism threat level from "substantial" to "severe."

The UK government cannot claim to be fighting the horrific wave of antisemitism and Jew-hatred if itโ€™s not fighting the rabid and explicit incitement against the Jewish state.

โ€” Gideon Sa'arForeign Minister of Israel, criticizing the UK's policies on antisemitism.

This escalation in threat level underscores the gravity with which the UK authorities are treating the situation. The attack, widely condemned as antisemitic, has sent shockwaves through the community and beyond. The police's swift charging of a suspect, however, marks a crucial step in the investigative process, aiming to bring those responsible to justice and reassure the public.

Hate slogans and antisemitic marches in the streets of London aren't 'free speech,' they are incitement.

โ€” Gideon Sa'arForeign Minister of Israel, commenting on antisemitic demonstrations.

Meanwhile, the international reaction has been sharp, particularly from Israel. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar has strongly criticized the UK's approach to combating antisemitism. In a pointed statement on X/Twitter, Sa'ar argued that the UK government cannot credibly claim to be fighting antisemitism and Jew-hatred if it does not actively confront what he termed "rabid and explicit incitement against the Jewish state." He further asserted that slogans like "Globalise the Intifada," which he believes constitutes incitement to violence against Jews, must be banned, not dismissed as mere "free speech."

They bring terror directed against Jews. They must be banned.

โ€” Gideon Sa'arForeign Minister of Israel, calling for a ban on certain hate slogans.

Sa'ar's remarks highlight a deep-seated concern within the Israeli government and parts of the Jewish diaspora regarding the perceived inadequacy of measures taken by Western governments, including the UK, to curb anti-Israel and antisemitic rhetoric. The call for banning specific slogans reflects a demand for more assertive action against what is seen as a growing wave of hatred, with the implication that current policies are insufficient to protect Jewish communities and ensure their safety.

The phrase 'Globalise the Intifada,' means killing Jews everywhere. It must be banned. This is what the British government must immediately do to fight antisemitism. Otherwise, it's just more empty words.

โ€” Gideon Sa'arForeign Minister of Israel, specifically addressing the slogan 'Globalise the Intifada'.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.