‘Sickening’ antisemitic graffiti on synagogue and shops in London investigated by police

‘Something truly monstrous is rising from the slime,’ says historian Simon Schama

Police are investigating a “racially motivated hate crime” after antisemitic graffiti was sprayed on a synagogue wall and shop windows in north London.

Several stores in the Hampstead area, including Oddbins and Esclot London, were targeted, as well as a former cafe and a phone box.

The graffiti, depicting a red Star of David together with a reference to the 9/11 terror attacks, appeared at around 11.30pm on Saturday night.

Camden councillor Oliver Cooper also tweeted a picture of “9.11” daubed on the wall of the South Hampstead synagogue.

“This is a place of peace and prayer, desecrated by the world’s oldest hatred,” he said.

The reference to 9/11 is believed to relate to a conspiracy theory which suggests Israel was involved in the terror attacks in 2001.

Mr Cooper said he was “sickened” after finding graffiti in nine separate locations in the neighbourhood. “My first reaction was shock and horror,” he added.

“I’ve had to report antisemitic graffiti in Hampstead a number of times before, including by a banned neo-Nazi group, but I have never seen anything approaching this extent.”

Tulip Siddiq, Labour MP for Hampstead and Kilburn, condemned the vandalism as “unbelievable, senseless, disgusting antisemitism at the heart of our community”.

Camden council also issued a joint statement from Ms Siddiq, council leader Georgia Gould and Holborn MP Keir Starmer describing the vandals as “cowardly pedlars of hate”.

It came as five people were stabbed during a Hanukkah celebration at a rabbi’s home in New York state at 10pm (3am GMT).

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn responded to both incidents by sending “love and solidarity” to Jewish communities around the world.

He tweeted: “How terrible that Chanukah started with a message of hope and on this last day we face antisemitic graffiti in London and horrific stabbings at a party in New York. We stand with all our communities facing hate.”

Historian Simon Schama, whose books include The Story of the Jews, commented: “Taken together with the stabbings in New York something truly monstrous is rising from the slime.”

The Metropolitan Police said in a statement that it was “investigating a racially motivated hate crime in the Hampstead area”.

“Officers received a report of antisemitic graffiti in a number of locations including Belsize Park and shop fronts at around 11.30pm on Saturday 28 December,” a spokesperson for the force said.

No arrests have been made so far.

Inspector Kev Hailes said: “This is clearly a concerning incident and one we are taking seriously.

“We have liaised with our partners in order to remove the graffiti and various enquiries are under way to find who is responsible.

“Officers will be on patrol throughout the area in order to provide some reassurance to local communities. Please approach us if you have any questions or concerns.

“I ask anyone who might have seen anything suspicious last night to call us and aid the investigation.”​

Camden council said the operation to remove the offensive graffiti was “complex” and would continue into Monday.

Additional reporting by Press Association