In London, anti-Semitic acts quadruple during Gaza conflict in May
London police officers on patrol in the streets of London, April 18, 2021. AFP - JUSTIN TALLIS
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2 min
Anti-Semitic acts have sharply increased in London.
Police recorded about four times as many incidents in the city in May than at any time in the past three years.
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With our correspondent in London
,
Marie Boëda
87 anti-Semitic incidents recorded, 65 more than the highest level on record in the past three years, according to figures that the London Metropolitan Police have just released.
This rise in violence came at the same time as
the escalation of tensions between Israel and Hamas
last May.
Rockets had been fired at Jerusalem from Gaza.
The Israeli army responded with airstrikes.
253 Palestinians lost their lives.
"
Usually, when it ignites in Israel, it ignites here
", explains a Jewish association which protects the community in the capital.
For example, a man was assaulted twice in an hour on the bus and the metro.
The word Hitler was inscribed on the ceiling of a house.
Or, in a Jewish neighborhood in north London, the tires of more than 30 cars were punctured.
Faced with these acts, the mayor of the city, Sadiq Khan, increased police patrols in certain neighborhoods.
The
UK
has around 300,000 people of the Jewish faith, two-thirds of whom are in London.
"
This type of behavior and abuse against any individual or group has no place in our city,
" London police said in a statement.
"
We will not tolerate it and we will act swiftly and firmly in response to all reported crimes of this nature
."
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