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UK Jews facing “wave of intimidation” over conflict

Updated: 09/Aug/2006 18:20

The pavement outside the main gates of Garnethill Synagogue in Glasgow was daubed with the word ‘Hizbollah’

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LONDON (EJP)--- British Jews are currently “facing a wave of intimidation” according to the Community Security Trust, a defence organisation that ensures the safety and security of the Jewish community in the UK.

Figures released by CST last week showed in increase in anti-Semitic incidents compared with last year. Communal figures have expressed certainty that the rise in anti-Semitism is connected to the current conflict between Israel and Lebanese group Hezbollah.

In July CST logged 60 anti-Semitic incidents compared to 31 for the same month last year.

Hezbollah graffiti

Last week, The Jewish Chronicle, the UK’s national Jewish weekly newspaper, reported that the London home of a Jewish doctor had been smeared with swastikas and anti-Semitic graffiti. A Synagogue in Scotland was also targeted. The pavement outside the main gates of Garnethill Synagogue in Glasgow was daubed with the word ‘Hizbollah’.
Gerald Levin, Garnethill Synagogue president, said, “I am sure this is linked to what is going on in the Middle East. We have never had problems like this before.”

Communal organisations have also reported an increase in hate material and abusive phone calls and emails.

This comes at a time of increased tension following hostilities in the Middle East with some newspapers reporting that Hizbollah could initiate a terror campaign against the Jewish community in the UK.

Last week Ayman al-Zawahiri, Al-Qeda’s second-in-command, issued a threat that “Al Qeda will strike anywhere to avenge the Israeli attacks in Lebanon”

Excuse

Mark Gardner, communications director at CST, said: “We have been in close contact with Scotland Yard concerning the threat and adequate responses to it.

“We have no hard intelligence to suggest such an attack will occur but past experience has shown that terrorists repeatedly use a current situation as an excuse to target Jewish communities.”

The CST has regular meetings with the police. Gardner said: “While there has been no specific threat but this is something that both parties are aware of and will continue to monitor very closely.”

Meanwhile the Board of Deputies of British Jews has thanked people for the messages of support the Jewish communal organisation has received.

In a statement they said: “We would like to acknowledge our gratitude for the very many messages of support we have received and the statements made publicly by those who understand the challenges faced by Israel and its need to defend its citizens.

“We would like to thank our friends from other faith communities, politicians and commentators who are showing solidarity with the people of Israel and with Jewish communities around the world which, as recent tragic events in Seattle demonstrated, are themselves facing renewed threats. We hope and pray that peace is restored to the Middle East and all those bereaved are soon comforted in their suffering.”