World
Crimes against Jews and Muslims are increasing in London
Attacks against Jews and Muslims have increased by 1,353% and 140%, respectively, according to police.
According to the Metropolitan Police, hate crimes against Jews and Muslims have dramatically increased in the British capital as a result of the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The Met stated in a statement on Friday that “unfortunately, despite the increased presence of officers, we have seen a significant increase in hate crime throughout London.” They also noted that over the period of October 1 through October 18, 218 anti-Semitic offences were reported, as opposed to 15 during the same time last year. Offences against Muslims increased from 42 to 101.
According to police, “These [figures] represent percentage increases of 1,353% and 140%, respectively.”
A total of 21 people have been detained, including two men who are suspected of writing Islamophobic graffiti on bus stops and defacing posters of Israelis seized by Palestinian militants.
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The Met emphasised that they are closely collaborating with the Jewish and Muslim communities in order to “provide reassurance and to investigate offences in the vicinity of faith schools, places of worship, and in those communities where we know the levels of concern are highest.”
According to the Community Security Trust (CST), a charity that works to protect British Jews, at least 533 anti-Semitic events have been reported since the Middle East conflict broke on October 7. This is the largest number of incidents ever documented in a 14-day period.
Other nations, including as Germany, Canada, and the US, have also reported an increase in hate crimes. On Friday, US President Joe Biden urged people to denounce both anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.
On October 7, Israel was assaulted by Hamas and its allies, which resulted in attacks on Gaza as payback. In the battle, more over 4,000 Palestinians and over 1,400 Israelis have lost their lives.
