In a shocking incident in the heart of London, three Jewish friends were brutally attacked for speaking Hebrew during a night out in Leicester Square. The victims reported being assaulted by a group of men who chanted “Free Palestine” while targeting them. The attack occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning, leaving one person requiring hospital treatment for their injuries.
The victims, two Jewish men and a woman explained that they were conversing in Hebrew when confronted by the group. The attackers asked if they were Jewish, and when the victims confirmed their Jewish identity, the assailants began chanting anti-Semitic slogans and directed offensive language at them.
Attempting to avoid further trouble, the victims tried to walk away, but the aggressors followed and, in a shocking turn of events, called more people to join them. Soon, a group of 15 to 20 individuals physically attacked the victims.
The woman, identified as Tehilla, shared her harrowing experience, revealing that she suffered injuries to her leg and neck during the attack. Her friends were also assaulted, sustaining head injuries. Tehilla expressed her fear during the incident, believing that her life was in danger.
In a concerning development, Tehilla reported that she had called the Metropolitan Police for assistance during the attack. She claimed that when she informed the police that they were being targeted due to their Jewish background, the officers responded slowly and repeatedly told her that she was “not the only one that called tonight.”
The Metropolitan Police has confirmed that the incident is being treated as an “anti-Semitic hate crime.” Detectives are actively investigating the matter, with a focus on speaking with the victims and witnesses. The inquiry will include a thorough analysis of CCTV footage from the area.
Detective Superintendent Lucy O’Connor expressed her concern over the violence, emphasizing that tackling anti-Semitic crime is a top priority for the Met. She conveyed her regrets over the delayed police response, highlighting the need for a swift intervention in such cases.
The police were alerted to the incident at 1:37am when a woman reported being assaulted in the vicinity of Leicester Square. The caller stated that she did not require an ambulance. Officers arrived at the scene at approximately 2:00am, by which time all parties involved had left. The victim later sought medical treatment at a hospital.
The Met Police is urging any witnesses with information or footage related to the incident to come forward and assist with the investigation. Witnesses are encouraged to contact the police at 101, referencing the case number 791/21jan.
