PM condemns convoy yelling abuse at Jews
BORIS JOHNSON has led condemnation after an online video showed a motorist shouting anti-Semitic and sexist abuse during a protest against Israeli air strikes on Gaza.
The man could be heard spouting hatred as a convoy of four cars decorated with Palestinian flags passed through St John’s Wood, an area of north London with a high Jewish population.
Mr Johnson tweeted: ‘ There is no place for anti-Semitism in our society. I stand with Britain’s Jews who should not have to endure the type of shameful racism we have seen.’
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called it ‘utterly disgusting’ and London mayor Sadiq Khan said: ‘ Hate crimes are inexcusable and have no place in our city.’ Pro-Palestinian activists also condemned the scenes.
The Metropolitan Police said last night four men had been arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated public order offences. It came after a helicopter was deployed and a car spotted on the A40 in Hillingdon was stopped.
Meanwhile, UN secretary-general António Guterres warned the escalating conflict in Israel and Gaza would ‘foster further extremism’ among elements of both sides unless military action was soon halted.
He called for an ‘immediate ceasefire’ as the death toll from air strikes in Gaza reached at least 197, including 58 children and ten members of the same family in a refugee camp. The number of fatalities from rocket attacks on Israel rose to ten, including two children.
Protests were held across the world over the weekend against the Israeli air strikes. About 150,000 demonstrators marched to the Israeli Embassy in London.
The US reminded Israel of the ‘ paramount responsibility’ of ensuring the safety of journalists after a block housing Al Jazeera and the Associated Press news agency in Gaza was destroyed in an air strike. Staff had evacuated.