Benjamin Netanyahu has hit out at Sir Keir Starmer’s efforts to tackle antisemitism in the wake of another suspected attack in London, declaring “words are not enough to confront this scourge”.
Two Jewish men were stabbed in what appears to be an antisemitic attack in Golders Green on Wednesday, following a series of incidents targeting Jewish sites in London.
The prime minister said the attack was “deeply concerning” and told the Commons that the government is “absolutely clear in our determination” to tackle such incidents.
But in a scathing criticism of Sir Keir, the office of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanded action from the UK government to protect the Jewish community.
“Weakness gaslights one antisemitic attack after another in London,” it said in a post on X. “Words are not enough to confront this scourge.
“We demand and expect action by the British Government to protect the Jews of England and bring antisemites to justice.”
It came shortly after Israel’s foreign ministry said the prime minister’s statements on the issue “are no substitute for confronting the roots of antisemitism” across the country.
“After attacks on synagogues, Jewish institutions, community ambulances and now Jews targeted in Golders Green, the UK government can no longer claim this is under control,” it said in a post on X.
“Prime minister Keir Starmer’s statements are no substitute for confronting the roots of antisemitism festering across United Kingdom. British Jews should not need security patrols and emergency volunteers to live openly as Jews.
“Enough words. The UK must act decisively and urgently.”
Downing Street said the attack was a “deeply shocking incident” and that antisemitic hatred “is rising once again and we must defeat it”, following the attack.
The prime minister’s spokesman said: “We know that many in the Jewish community face a daily threat of antisemitic hatred. And this is a hatred that is rising once again and we must defeat it.
“That’s why we’re backing the Jewish community with record levels of security funding and clear action to root out any antisemitism wherever it appears, including in universities, charities and in the NHS.”
Two Jewish men, one in his 70s and the other in his 30s, were stabbed in the latest attack in Golders Green on Wednesday morning.
The scene is around half a mile from a memorial wall where an attempted arson attack took place on Monday, and near where four Jewish community ambulances were destroyed by fire in late March.
Police said they are working to establish the “nationality and background” of the attacker, and the investigation is being led by Counter Terrorism Policing.
The attack prompted calls for action from the chief rabbi, who said the incident “must be a moment that demands meaningful action”.
“Following the antisemitic stabbing of two Jewish people on the streets of Golders Green this morning, words of condemnation are no longer sufficient,” Sir Ephraim Mirvis said.
“This must be a moment that demands meaningful action from every institution, every community, every leader and every decent person in our country. This is a hatred that we must face down together.”
