Metropolitan Police in London have recorded a staggering 1,353% surge in antisemitic hate crimes following the recent escalation involving Hamas
Police Force acknowledges a rise in incidents of anti-Semitism occurring 'despite the heightened presence of officers' in the UK capital; Islamophobic hate crimes also on the rise.
Antisemitic and Islamophobic hate crimes in London have seen a significant surge amidst the Israel-Hamas conflict, according to the Metropolitan Police force in the British capital.
The Met, the largest police force in the UK, reported 218 antisemitic offences in London between October 1 and 18, compared to 15 during the same period last year, marking an increase of 1,353 percent. Additionally, Islamophobic crimes rose from 42 to 101 during this period, indicating a 140% increase.
In response to the heightened tensions, police increased patrols in various parts of London and stationed officers at religious schools and places of worship. This came after the deadly attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, which marked the deadliest assault in the history of the Jewish state.
Despite the increased police presence, the Met expressed regret over the notable rise in hate crimes across London. They reported making 21 arrests related to such offences. These included the detention of an individual suspected of defacing posters featuring missing Israelis, and another individual accused of involvement in ten incidents of Islamophobic graffiti on bus stops.
The British government has firmly stated that there should be “zero tolerance for antisemitism or glorification of terrorism” on the streets of Britain.
Last week, it was announced that an additional £3 million ($3.7 million) in funding has been allocated to enhance the protection of the Jewish community from antisemitic attacks.
Thousands of people gathered in protest against Israel last weekend in London and various other cities across the UK.
Another march is scheduled for London this Saturday. The Metropolitan Police have indicated that over 1,000 officers will be deployed to oversee the event.
It’s important to note that while endorsing Hamas, a banned terrorist organization in Britain, constitutes a criminal offence, expressing general support for Palestinians, such as displaying the Palestinian flag, is not considered a criminal act.
On October 7, approximately 2,500 Palestinian militants from the Gaza Strip launched an attack on Israel by land, air, and sea, resulting in around 1,400 casualties and the abduction of 200-250 hostages, spanning various age groups. This assault was accompanied by extensive rocket fire targeting Israeli towns and communities. The majority of those killed were civilians, including men, women, children, and the elderly. Entire families were tragically affected, with over 260 individuals brutally slain at an outdoor festival.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, which is under Hamas control, over 4,100 Palestinians have lost their lives in Israeli strikes since the commencement of the Hamas offensive. However, it’s crucial to note that these figures, released by the terrorist group, cannot be independently verified. They are believed to encompass both Hamas fighters and individuals affected by an explosion at a Gaza City hospital on October 17, an incident attributed by Hamas to an errant missile fired by Islamic Jihad, which Hamas has blamed on Israel.
Israel maintains that its military operation aims to dismantle Hamas’s infrastructure and has expressed its determination to eliminate the entire terrorist organization, which governs the Gaza Strip. It asserts that it is targeting all areas where Hamas operates while striving to minimize civilian casualties.
