Masked men target Jewish delis with questions about IDF
TWO JEWISH delis in Radlett have been targeted by masked and hooded men who approached staff to demand they state whether they supported the IDF and Israel.
A concerned member of the public alerted the Community Security Trust after they noticed a group of three men walking up and down Watling Street in the Hertfordshire town on Monday.
The men went into Fress Deli and Noshers, both kosher-style delis serving staples such as smoked salmon bagels and fishballs.
Fress employee Isobel explained: “We are not normally approached by members of the public who want to know if we support the IDF.
“We are a Jewish deli selling bagels.
They came in asking a lot of weird questions about if we support the IDF and Israel. We just told them we sell bagels and cakes and pastries.” She said the unusual line of questioning by the men in masks “made us feel uncomfortable.
“They were walking up and down the street and going into the Jewish shops.
“It was a member of the public that noticed them and called CST and the police.”
Fress’s store manager said: “I only saw one man hanging around outside.
“He had a face mask on and took it off when he came into shop to ask me about lentil soup mix.
“Then he asked if we were a Jewish food shop. I said we are a deli. He then asked if we support the IDF.
“I didn’t answer and he left. “A customer pointed him out to me and said there were three of them who met up outside Budgens and walked up Aldenham Avenue.”
A CST spokesperson told the JC: “This is a disturbing and completely unjustifiable example of anti-Jewish harassment ostensibly in the name of anti-Israel activism.
“We will be looking to increase security in the area in the coming days to reassure the Jewish community.”
This is disturbing and completely unjustifiable