Shock and anger in Golders Green Jewish community
Shock and anger in Golders Green Jewish community
Shock and anger in Golders Green – The Jewish enclave of Golders Green, nestled in north-west London, is grappling with a profound sense of unease and frustration following a fresh wave of targeted violence. Just five weeks after a series of attacks on four charity ambulances—vehicles symbolizing Jewish community service—another incident has left locals reeling. The latest assault unfolded near Hagers Shul Synagogue, a familiar gathering place for many, and is now being linked to growing anxieties about safety in the area.
Targets in the Crosshairs
According to the BBC, the assailant behind the recent attack is a 45-year-old British man of Somali origin, Essa Suleiman. The incident occurred as he and another individual exited the synagogue, sparking a confrontation that led to the injuries of Shloime Rand, 34, and Moshe Shine, 76. Both victims are reported to be in stable condition at a local hospital, though the trauma of the event has left the community deeply unsettled.
Political Leaders Visit Amid Rising Concerns
As the community reflects on the escalating tensions, political figures have begun to show solidarity. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and other leaders visited Golders Green on Wednesday, expressing their dismay over the attacks. The visit underscores the gravity of the situation, with officials acknowledging the need for stronger measures to safeguard Jewish residents. Yet, for many locals, the response feels inadequate, leaving them to question the future of their community in the UK.
Residents Reflect on a Shifting Landscape
Edith Binstock, a 80-year-old lifelong Golders Green resident, recalls the community’s past as a haven. “This place used to feel like paradise,” she says, her voice tinged with nostalgia. Her parents, survivors of the Holocaust, built a life of peace here, and she describes the neighborhood as one where Jewish and non-Jewish neighbors coexisted harmoniously. “Now it’s just so awful,” she adds, lamenting the recent decline in safety. “My mother arrived in England in the last minute of World War II, thinking she’d found a promised land. She never imagined it would become this hostile.”
“I know I’m a Jew, but I can tell you England would be a worse place if we all go.”
For Binstock, the attacks are not just physical threats but a symbolic rupture. She highlights the irony that those “going about their normal business” are the ones targeted, questioning why Jews must endure such fear. “My son is part of Hatzola, the volunteer emergency medical service, and his nephews would do anything to save lives—even confront someone with a knife,” she says. “I don’t know how it’s gotten to this point… I don’t know when it’ll get better. I doubt it.”
Plans to Depart
David Baddiel, another local, echoes similar sentiments. “There’s not much future for Jewish people here,” he asserts, revealing he has been contemplating leaving for over a year. His decision, though painful, feels inevitable. “Every time I think about it, I come to the same conclusion: Yes, get out.” Baddiel’s concerns are shared by many, as he points to a growing trend of Jewish families relocating. “I’ve got relatives doing the same, and I think others will follow,” he says. “The more people feel the government and police aren’t protecting us, the more likely they’ll decide to leave.”
“This is like the 1930s. This is how it started when Jews lived in Poland.”
Baddiel’s comparison to the 1930s is not hyperbolic. He believes the signs are unmistakable. “The writing was on the wall,” he says, referencing the initial comfort of Jewish life in the UK before the current wave of violence. “It’s not what I want to do, but it’s what I have to do.” For him, the cultural ties to Britain are strong, yet the threat to safety has overshadowed them. “This culture is what I know,” he adds, “but I can’t ignore the danger anymore.”
Conflating Criticism and Antisemitism
Jenny Manson, co-chair of Jewish Voice for Liberation, weighs in on the broader implications of the attacks. She describes the recent events as “absolutely terrifying,” emphasizing the randomness of the victims. “They have no connection to the anger at the moment, which is often directed at Israel,” she explains. This conflation, she argues, has fueled a dangerous narrative. “For years, the government and media have equated criticism of Israel with antisemitism,” Manson says. “Now, it’s clear this mindset has become much more perilous than we realized.”
“It means many people think all Jews support Israel.”
Manson, who is secular, admits she has never felt fear in the UK before. “I don’t go to synagogue myself, but some of my family do,” she says. “Now, it’s dangerous to be visibly Jewish.” Her fears are compounded by the way public discourse has shifted. “The signs were there, the writing was on the wall,” she notes, recalling the early days of antisemitism. “People felt comfortable, but now the writing’s on the wall—again.”
Community Divided Between Defiance and Dread
While some residents express determination to stay, others are preparing to leave. The latest attack has reignited debates about the safety of Jewish life in the UK. For Binstock, the community’s resilience is key. “Even in the face of danger, we’ve always stood up for ourselves,” she says. “But this time, it feels different.” Her words reflect a broader sense of defiance, yet the underlying fear remains. “Why do we have to live like this?” she asks. “It’s just shocking that people who are simply doing their jobs are the ones targeted.”
The Jewish Voice for Liberation’s Manson underscores the political dimension of the crisis. She notes that criticism of Israel, once a matter of opinion, is now weaponized against Jews. “It’s not just about the attacks—it’s about how they’re framed,” she says. “People who question Israeli policies are seen as enemies of the Jewish community, even when they have no personal connection to the violence.” This perception, she argues, has eroded the sense of belonging for many. “For the first time in my life, I feel unsafe in this country,” she admits.