Four men held over anti-semitic threats

MEMBERS of the Jewish community are “very afraid” that “threats could turn into actions”, a rabbi has said, in the wake of an anti-semitic incident in London.

A video, shared on social media, showed a convoy of cars covered with Palestinian flags passing down Finchley Road in north London, with passengers shouting offensive language and threats against Jews.

Four men have been arrested, the Metropolitan Police said last night.

Rabbi Herschel Gluck said: “People are very concerned and very afraid about where this will lead. There is always the fear threats could turn into actions.”

He added: “It is very important to emphasise in London that the Muslim and Jewish communities stand shoulder to shoulder and in a great spirit of solidarity. There aren’t tensions locally, all these tensions are coming from people who have never seen a Jew and they are coming from outside London.

“I think it is important to stress the Muslim and Jewish communities in London do not have any issues. The friendship and cooperation between our communities are as strong as ever.”

Police said the vehicle involved had been identified and the force was making inquiries to locate the occupants.

In Chigwell yesterday morning, an assistant rabbi was attacked near his synagogue, suffering blows to the head and face.

Mr Gluck said: “Whenever a person is attacked like this, it touches me deeply. The person themselves, their families, their congregation, and their friends are all affected by this. Even though it is an individual, it has much broader and wider ramifications.”

He added: “We are living in a time when, because of the situation in the Middle East, everyone is nervous, everyone is scared, everyone is concerned.”