The National Jewish Assembly (NJA) is appalled by the recent antisemitic messages raked into bunkers at Hendon Golf Club, just before the Jewish community observed Yom Kippur. This disgraceful act is yet another deplorable example of the rising tide of antisemitism in the UK, emboldened by both institutional failures and a police force reluctant to crack down on open sympathies for Islamist terrorist organisations.
The Metropolitan Police have launched a hate crime investigation into the incident, which took place in the heart of a Jewish community. However, the NJA remains deeply concerned that these investigations will follow the same pattern of inaction seen all too often when it comes to antisemitic incidents. Time and time again, these acts of hatred occur without real consequences for the perpetrators, leaving the Jewish community vulnerable and unprotected.
NJA Chairman Gary Mond issued the following statement: “This incident is yet another lamentable example of how emboldened antisemitism has become in the UK. It is fuelled by the Metropolitan Police’s consistent unwillingness to take a strong stance against open and vocal support for Islamist terrorist organisations. Moreover, pervasive antisemitism has infested many of our institutions, particularly in education, where radical ideologies are allowed to spread unchecked.”
The NJA stands with the Hendon Jewish community in the wake of this attack and calls on the police and local authorities to act swiftly and decisively to bring those responsible to justice. Beyond this, the NJA urges the government to address the growing threat posed by extremist influences and antisemitism in British institutions, as the failure to do so risks further emboldening those who seek to spread hate.
The NJA will continue to advocate for stronger action against all forms of antisemitism and will closely monitor developments in this incident.
