‘We are not running away’: Jewish community in Golders Green defiant in face of fear after stabbing attack

A.mbrosine Shitrit traveled to Golders Green on Wednesday in an act of defiance against hatred and violence.

“We’re not running away. We’re not going anywhere. We’re here,” he said. Independent. Two Jewish men were stabbed by a suspected terrorist on Highfield Avenue that morning.

It was stated that the two men, named by the Chief Rabbi as Moshe ben Chaya Sarah and Moshe Ben Baila, were in stable condition in the hospital.

It is feared that this is the latest in a series of attacks targeting London’s Jewish community in recent months. These include arson attacks on a synagogue in Finchley on April 15 and four Jewish community ambulances in Golders Green in March.

Shitrit, 59, director of Eye on Antisemitism, an organization that fights anti-Semitic hate crimes, said he went to the region “to show my solidarity with the Jewish community.”

He says he did the same thing after the attack on Finchley Reform Synagogue two weeks ago and when Jewish ambulances were set on fire last month.

“I feel terrible. I’m so sad today. But I want to try to be strong for my brothers and sisters in society.”

He said that although the Jewish people are “very” afraid, they will not back down.

“They go to work, they go shopping, they go to school, they hold their babies in their arms.”

Following the incident, a 45-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. On Wednesday night police said the suspect was linked to an “altercation” at an address in south-east London just two hours earlier.

Debbie Fox, executive director of the Jewish Leadership Council, said her initial reaction to the stabbing was “horror.”

Speaking at the scene of the attack, she said: “There seems to be a pit in my stomach that is there every day. “Most of us wake up every morning and our first thought is not if but when and where.

“Jews living in this country and all over the world are afraid. Fear increases every day. We are anxious. Anxiety is becoming normal.”

He added: “This is not just a surge or a surge. This is becoming an epidemic.”

Dozens of Jewish community members at the scene of the stabbing called on the government to take tough and immediate action in response to a series of attacks targeting their friends and family.

During a press conference, Met Police Commissioner Mark Rowley and Labor MP Sarah Sackman were greeted by angry thugs demanding their resignations and chanting “shame on you”.

“I understand the anger, I understand the anxiety because the fear is real. It’s felt throughout the Jewish community,” Ms. Sackman told the crowd.

Sir Keir Starmer condemned the “utterly appalling” attack and said the government was “absolutely clear that we are determined” to tackle such incidents.

Among those demanding action is Israel Morgenstern, 48, who rushed to the scene when he heard his close friend’s son had been stabbed.

The father has lived in the area for 15 years but said the rate of recent attacks is unlike anything he has experienced in the past.

“There is a huge increase in attacks against the Jewish community in this area.”

Mr. Morgenstern said they were “not afraid” but “worried about our children walking down the street.” We don’t know if they will come back home.”

He said more must be done by the police and government to protect Jewish people who no longer feel safe in their own neighborhoods.

Steven Bak of the Jewish neighborhood watch group Shomrim said: “We are an organization that always runs into danger to protect the community. We are always here for the community and nothing can stop us. Neither fear nor hatred.”

“Our volunteers have been really pushed over the last few months. We get calls all day, every day. It could be something small, it could be something bigger.”

“It’s becoming more and more frequent and widespread, and we really need more help from the government.”

Chief rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis said the attack had prompted not just “words of condemnation” but 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.

“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.”