Starmer’s words on antisemitism are ‘not enough’ after Golders Green attack, Netanyahu says
Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu has hit out at Sir Keir Starmer’s efforts to tackle antisemitism after another suspected attack in London, saying “words are not enough to confront this scourge”.
Two Jewish men were stabbed in Golders Green on Wednesday in what was thought to be an anti-Semitic attack, following a series of incidents targeting Jewish sites in London.
The Prime Minister said the attack was “deeply worrying” and told the House of Commons the government was “absolutely clear that we are determined” to tackle such incidents.
But Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office issued a harsh criticism of Sir Keir, demanding that the UK government take action to protect the Jewish community.
“Weakness illuminates one antisemitic attack after another in London,” said a post on X, formerly Twitter. “Words are not enough to confront this trouble.
“We demand and expect the British Government to take action to protect Jews in Britain and bring anti-Semites to justice.”
This came shortly after the Israeli foreign ministry’s online salvo.
“After attacks on synagogues, Jewish institutions, community ambulances and now targeting Jews in Golders Green, the UK government can no longer claim it is under control,” he said in X.
“Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s statements are no substitute for confronting the roots of growing antisemitism in the UK. British Jews should not need security patrols and emergency volunteers to live openly as Jews.”
“Enough words. The UK must act decisively and urgently.”
Downing Street said the attack was an “extremely shocking incident”.
A spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office said: “We know that many in the Jewish community face the threat of antisemitic hatred every day. This is hatred that is on the rise once again and we must defeat it.”
“That’s why we’re supporting the Jewish community with record levels of security funding and clear action to root out antisemitism wherever it occurs, including in universities, charities and the NHS.”
In the latest attack in Golders Green on Wednesday morning, two Jews, one in his 70s and the other in his 30s, were stabbed.
The location of the attacks is about a half-mile from the memorial wall where the arson attempt took place on Monday and near where four Jewish community ambulances were destroyed by fire in late March.
Police said they were working to determine the attacker’s “nationality and background” and that the investigation was being carried out by the Counter Terrorism Police.
The attack prompted not only “words of condemnation” from the chief rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, but also renewed calls for action.
“Words of condemnation are no longer enough following the anti-Semitic stabbing of two Jews on the streets of Golders Green this morning,” he said.
“This must be a moment that requires meaningful action from every institution, every community, every leader and every decent person in our country. This is a hatred that we must confront together.”
