Police probe video of ‘anti-semitic abuse’ shouted from convoy

Police have arrested four men in connection with a video which appeared to show anti-semitic abuse being shouted from a car in north London.

The incident received cross-party criticism, with the prime minister condemning the acts as “shameful racism” that have “no place” in society.

Footage on social media showed a convoy of cars covered with Palestinian flags passing down Finchley Road, in north London, with passengers heard to shout offensive language and threats against Jews.

Scotland Yard said that following an investigation into the incident, four arrests have been made after one of the cars was stopped at around 6.30pm yesterday.

A statement said: “Police received reports of people shouting antisemitic abuse from a car travelling within a convoy of vehicles through the St John’s Wood area. Officers traced a car to the A40 in Hillingdon.

“The police helicopter was deployed and officers stopped the car at approximately 18.30hrs.

“Four men were arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated public order offences.”

The incident comes after thousands of people marched through London on Saturday to the gates of the Israeli embassy, while protests took place in other cities across the UK and Ireland in solidarity with the people of Palestine. Thousands of Palestinians have been forced to flee their homes after a week of sustained conflict.

Since last Monday night, Palestinian militant group Hamas has fired hundreds of rockets into Israel, whose military responded by barraging the Gaza Strip with tank fire and air strikes.

Superintendent Jo Edwards, in charge of the investigation into the video, said: “This behaviour was utterly shocking and will not be tolerated.

“I understand that this would have caused considerable concern within the community and we have arranged extra patrols in the St John’s Wood and Golders Green areas this evening.”

Boris Johnson said: “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.”

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer described the incident as “utterly disgusting”.

“Anti-semitism, misogyny and hate have no place on our streets or in our society,” he said.

Mike Freer, MP for Finchley and Golders Green, said: “The scenes I’ve witnessed in my constituency today have left me sick to my stomach.”