Pro-Palestinian graffiti has appeared overnight in Golders Green, north-west London, in the wake of Hamas’ attack on Israel which has killed more than 700 Israelis.
The graffiti, which read “Free Palestine!” appeared on Golders Green railway bridge, close to a kosher restaurant which was smashed overnight. It has been condemned as “disgraceful” and “a deliberate attempt to intimidate the Jewish community.”
Police said the attack on the popular Pita restaurant in Golders Green Road was not being treated as a hate crime and was thought to be a burglary.
The Met Police has stepped up patrols in Jewish areas of London after videos circulated of some people appearing to celebrate the onslaught on Israel by Hamas.
In relation to the vandalised kosher restaurant, a Met spokesperson said: “It was reported that a cash register had been stolen. Officers have attended the scene and examined CCTV at the location.
“There has been no arrest and enquiries into the circumstances are ongoing. At this stage, the incident is not being treated as a hate crime.”
Among those condemning the graffiti, first reported by the Jewish News, was Mayor Sadiq Khan, who said: “There is no tolerance for hate in our city. I remain in close contact with the Met Police.
“Whoever did this will face the full force of the law. I stand with Jewish Londoners, today and always.”
Speaking in front of the damaged restaurant, Mike Freer, MP for Finchley and Golders Green, said: “The local community feel they are under siege, and my job is to make sure their views are fed back into the heart of government and the PM wants to be kept fully informed.
“But equally, the community here just want to live peacefully and I know the Jewish community here in Golders Green simply want to get on with their lives.
“It is a peaceful and law-abiding community and in the UK we value freedom of religion and freedom of expression and we shouldn’t allow anyone to undermine that fundamental part of our society.”
Community Security Trust, which provides security to Jewish institutions and logs anti-Semitic attacks, said it had detailed talks about security in the wake of the attack on Israel at the weekend, including at Jewish schools.
“This is a deliberate attempt to intimidate the Jewish community,” it said of the graffiti.
“It is disgraceful and should be roundly condemned by all sides. We expect the police to fully investigate because this cannot be allowed to continue.”
In an earlier statement, the Met said it was “aware that this conflict has a far reaching impact on communities” in London.
“We are listening and working with communities and partners to ensure people feel safe and protected,” it said. “We ask that members of the public report anything concerning, such as threatening behaviour.”
On Sunday, Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: “Whenever Israel is attacked, Islamists and other racists use Israeli defensive measures as a pretext to stir up hatred against British Jews.”
She added: “There must be zero tolerance for antisemitism or glorification of terrorism on the streets of Britain.”
Israel has suffered “the worst massacre of innocent civilians in Israel’s history”, the country’s defence force has said, as the death toll across Israel and Gaza topped 1,100.
Fighting continued in several locations on Monday after Israel formally declared war against Hamas on Sunday, following the attack by Palestinian militants.
