The number of anti-Semitic incidents in London reached their highest recorded level last month, according to new figures from a Jewush safety charity.
The Community Security Trust (CST) said there were 201 incidents of anti-Semitism reported in the capital in May, and almost all of them were linked to the conflict in Israel and Gaza.
More than 160 reports of abusive behaviour were recorded, seven relating to damage or desecration and twelve reports of assault.
The total was significantly higher the previous record of 179 in July 2014, meaning it is the highest number since the organisation started recording incidents in the 1980s.
Dave Rich of the CST said: “This abuse has nothing to do with Israel.
“It’s just racism directed towards Jewish people who are picked out on the streets, on the internet, because they are Jewish.”
The charity says there are around 300,000 Jewish people in the UK with two-thirds of those located in London, according to the CST.
- Further anti-Semitic graffiti found as Greenwich marks Holocaust Memorial Day
Back in May, Communities Secretary also told the Commons there had been an upsurge in anti-Semitic behaviour on social media.
The CST added that there had been a fivefold increase in anti-Semitic incidents due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.
The number of incidents jumped from 16 to 86 oncde the tensions escalated last month.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here