Rabbi beaten by attackers who shouted ‘kill the Jews’
A rabbi was left “bleeding and dazed” after an anti-Semitic assault by two attackers who shouted “kill the Jews”.
The senior religious leader, who was visiting the UK for a family wedding, was thrown to the ground by two men on Clapton Common in Stamford Hill at about 9.45pm on Friday.
Security group Shomrim said that he had left the Bobov Synagogue in Egerton Road and was walking along Clapton Common when he was approached by the men, who shouted “f*** Jews”, “dirty Jew” and “kill the Jews”.
They repeatedly punched him, threw him to the ground and carried on beating him, only stopping when a member of the public intervened.
#HateCrime#AntiSemitisimAmhurst Park #N16 Fri 21.45, senior Rabbi visiting the UK was subject to a vicious unprovoked assault and beating whilst the 2 attackers screamed "Kill Jews, F.. Jews" cad 6332 30/11/19 pic.twitter.com/S91kFF8EGv
— Shomrim (Stamford Hill) (@Shomrim) November 30, 2019
Shomrim said the rabbi, who sits in a Judaic court as a judge, was left “collapsed on the pavement, bleeding and dazed where he lay for several minutes”.
He has since flown back to Israel and is said to be traumatised by what happened.
Shomrim said: “The Jewish community in Stamford Hill is shocked by this assault. Over the last two weeks the community has reported many hate crimes to Shomrim.
“We have seen a significant rise in hate crimes over the last year.”
This is horrific. It has shaken our Hackney community to its core.
We stand in solidarity with the Jewish community in Stamford Hill and across the UK.
I urge anyone with information to call 101 quoting CAD6332/30/11/19 or call Stamford Hill Shomrim on 0300 999 0123 https://t.co/G919LV9KCG
— Diane Abbott (@HackneyAbbott) December 1, 2019
The attackers were described as young, slim, black men who were wearing hooded tops. One was wearing grey trousers and white trainers.
Local MP Diane Abbott and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn used Twitter to condemn the attack.
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: “An assault was reported to have taken place in Amhurst Road, N16 at 21.45pm on Friday, November 29.
“Officers are attempting to contact the victim for a full account.”