After thousands of Palestinians were forced to flee their homes after a week of sustained conflict, Boris Johnson slammed the 'shameful racism' against a Jewish scholar who was attacked in Essex as police arrested four after convoy of cars drives through Jewish community in Finchley yelling 'f*** their mothers, f*** their daughters' while flying Palestinian flags.
While the organisers demanded 'immediate action' from the UK Government to end 'brutal' violence against Palestinians, demonstrators gathered around Hyde Park near Marble Arch to begin a March at midday on Saturday. An online video footage showed that protesters threw drinks towards police officers in a massive clash. “Nine officers were injured during the protests, and nine people were arrested”, the Metropolitan Police said. Reports suggested that huge crowds of demonstrators climbed on the top of the gates of Kensington palace and other buildings in the vicinity.
According to news reports, the convoy yelled: 'F*** the Jews... F*** all of them. F*** their mothers, f*** their daughters and show your support for Palestine. Rape their daughters and we have to send a message like that. Please do it for the poor children in Gaza.'
Around the afternoon of May 16, officers received reports of people shouting anti-Semitic abuse from a car travelling within a convoy of vehicles through the St John's Wood. 'The event passed peacefully and concluded without any arrests,' police said.
The scholar named Rafi Goodwin's suffered injuries which were addressed at King George's Hospital. An email sent to members of the community said: 'From the description of how the incident started, it does not, at this point appear to be an antisemitic attack.' An Essex Police spokesman told MailOnline the two persons who attacked the Jewish scholar were of Asian ethnicity.
Prime Minister Mr Johnson Tweeted: 'There is no place for anti-Semitism in our society. Ahead of Shavuot, I stand with Britain's Jews who should not have to endure the type of shameful racism we have seen today.'
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan tweeted: 'Hate crimes are inexcusable and have no place in our city. I've been in touch with the Met Police Commissioner about the appalling reports of antisemitic attacks this weekend.
Home Secretary Priti Patel tweeted: 'There is no place for this hatred in the UK. I expect @metpoliceuk to be taking this seriously.' Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer described the incident as 'utterly disgusting.'
UK Labour MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi tweeted: "We cannot stand by in silence, in the face of forced evictions and the violent atrocities in occupied. #Palestine." Singh has written a letter to Boris Johnson asking him to reveal what representations the UK government will be making to Israel to de-escalate tensions and possible collective international action that UK intends to take in the light of the recent Human Rights Watch report that caters to the illegal annexation of Palestine.
