London: Europe is bracing for an increase in antisemitic acts as the fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hamas in Gaza unfolds, with police protection of Jewish communities bolstered across Britain, France, Germany, Spain and Italy.
The Metropolitan Police in London increased the level of security and number of patrols outside Jewish schools on Monday to provide “reassurance” amid the outbreak of violence in Israel. At one school, students were told they did not have to wear blazers carrying their school’s logo.
Several media outlets also reported Palestinian and Israeli supporters clashed at a London Underground station as police desperately tried to keep the peace on a night where thousands of pro-Palestine protesters descended on the Israeli embassy.
Video showed dozens of police officers attempting to separate demonstrators at High Street Kensington tube station as a pro-Palestine rally taking place outside started to escalate.
Fireworks were seen being launched by pro-Palestine protesters on High Street Kensington – some towards the Israeli embassy – while many were unable to push through heaving crowds.
London mayor Sadiq Khan has said there was “no tolerance for hate” in London on Monday after a kosher restaurant was vandalised in Golders Green, a neighbourhood with a large Jewish population, and “Free Palestine” graffiti was daubed on two nearby bridges.
Read the article by Rob Harris in The Sydney Morning Herald.