Moment Tube driver says Jews are ‘not safe when he is driving Bakerloo line’ at protest – as he is suspended under investigation

A London Underground driver has been suspended for saying Jews were not safe on the Bakerloo Line.

A Transport for London (TfL) worker attending a protest was asked: ‘Is it safe for Jews to use the Bakerloo line?’

He responds emotionlessly, shouting over drums and crowd cheers: ‘Not while I’m driving.’

The tube worker could be seen at the demonstration waving a green banner bordered with red and written in gold letters: ‘National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers – Bakerloo Branch.’

It adds the phrase ‘working for the capitalist socialist order’ and includes a drawing of a subway train as well as a fist holding a lightning bolt.

The anonymous London Underground worker, wearing glasses, then looks into the camera and delivers a clear message to the Jewish community.

‘Stay away from yourself,’ he says. ‘But you can go today [when he is not driving the trains].’

During the protest, hundreds of people were seen walking on the streets, many carrying large banners and chanting slogans in groups.

TfL confirmed it had seen the video and suspended the driver who made anti-Semitic comments.

The organisation’s Chief Operating Officer, Claire Mann, said: ‘Everyone has the right to travel in London without discrimination and we stand united against all forms of hate. Any act of antisemitism will not be tolerated and will be treated with the utmost seriousness.

‘Since this incident was brought to our attention, one driver has been identified and suspended while we conduct a full investigation in accordance with our policies and procedures.’

A spokesman for the Campaign Against Antisemitism said: ‘This is disgusting and clearly contrary to the most basic expectations of public transport.

‘More than two-thirds of British Jews already do not feel comfortable revealing their identity on public transport.

‘We are grateful that TfL identified and suspended this individual and hope that if the footage is confirmed he will be sacked in due course.’

The worrying clip comes as incidents of antisemitism are on the rise in the capital.

Ashab Al-Yamin, the Islamic Movement of the Right Companions, claimed responsibility for throwing a ‘firebomb’ into the window of Kenton United Synagogue near Harrow at the weekend.

The pro-Iran group released video footage of the attack, which showed a man walking towards the building with what appeared to be a tear gas canister and throwing it at the building.

Sir Keir Starmer described the attack as ‘disgusting’ and said: ‘I am appalled by the recent spate of antisemitic arson attacks in North London. This is disgusting and will not be tolerated.

‘Attacks on our Jewish community are attacks on Britain. We are increasing visible policing measures and those responsible will be found and brought to justice. ‘We will not pursue the perpetrators.’

Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis described the incident as a ‘cowardly arson attack’ and added that a ‘sustained campaign of violence and intimidation’ against British Jews was gaining momentum.

He said: ‘This sustained attack on our community’s ability to worship and live safely is an attack on the values ​​that hold us all together.’

‘We cannot and must not wait for this to change before we realize how dangerous this moment is for our entire society,’ he added.

It follows the arrest of a man and a woman in connection with an ‘anti-Semitic’ arson attempt at a synagogue in north London last week.

CCTV showed balaclava-clad thugs using suspected tear gas canisters as they attempted to attack the Finchley Reform Synagogue on Fallow Court Avenue, North Finchley.

The incident is being treated as an anti-Semitic hate crime and comes weeks after four Hatzola ambulances were firebombed outside a different synagogue in nearby Golders Green on March 23.

A 47-year-old woman and a 46-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of arson endangering life in the Watford area.

Police said CCTV showed two suspects dressed in dark clothing and balaclavas entering the synagogue grounds at 12.09am on Wednesday.

They then placed two glass bottles near the windows of the synagogue and threw bricks at the building. One of the bottles containing a substance suspected to be gasoline was shattered by a brick.

None of the vials were fired and no injuries were reported. While the building was not damaged, the suspects fled the scene.

Video footage shows flashing blue lights of police cars blocking the road outside the Kenton United synagogue, which was targeted by pro-Iran group Ashab Al-Yamin

Picture: Police at the scene after the attack on Finchley Reform Synagogue. Man and woman arrested in connection with ‘anti-Semitic’ arson attempt

The attack was reported to the police by a synagogue employee at around 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

Finchley and Golders Green MP Sarah Sackman described the attack as ‘shocking’ and added that the Jewish community should be ‘free to live their lives without fear’.

‘I learned that there had been an attempted arson attack on Finchley Reform Synagogue overnight. Fortunately, no one was injured. “I’ve been in the synagogue, supporting local residents and community leaders,” he said.

‘This shocking attempt to damage a local synagogue follows a series of alarming attacks on the Jewish community in Finchley and Golders Green.

‘As your local MP and member of the community, I refuse to allow this to become the ‘new normal’. British Jews should be free to live their lives without fear, whether that means taking their children to nursery or attending synagogue. ‘We don’t want to live behind higher walls.’

He added: ‘I thank the CST and the Metropolitan Police for their quick and effective response. ‘I will continue to raise issues of antisemitism and security at the highest levels in Government to protect our community.’

The London Underground driver seen in the protest video was suspended just days before tube drivers were expected to end two 24-hour strikes.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) has confirmed that its members will be off work for 24 hours from midday on Tuesday 21 April and Thursday 23 April.

Its members accused Transport for London (TfL) of implementing a new, compressed four-day working week; The union claimed this could increase fatigue and compromise safety.

TfL denied these claims and added that the modified working week, which would see the five-day working week compressed into four, was a voluntary change.

On March 23, four Hatzola ambulances were firebombed in nearby Golders Green.

The strike will affect the entire metro network, with no service on the Piccadilly and Circles lines and limited service on other lines.

The Elizabeth Line, DLR, London Overground and trams will operate as normal but are expected to be extremely busy and passengers are urged to check before travelling.

Some bus routes operated by Stagecoach in the capital will be affected by a separate 24-hour strike from 5am on Friday, April 24.

RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said: ‘We have approached negotiations with TfL in good faith throughout this entire process, but despite our best efforts TfL appears unwilling to make any concessions in order to avoid strike action.

‘This is extremely disappointing and took our negotiators by surprise.

‘TfL’s approach is not one that will lead to industrial peace and will infuriate our members who want to see a negotiated solution to this avoidable dispute.’