Ambrosine Shitrit went to Golders Green on Wednesday in an act of defiance against hatred and violence.
“We are not running away. We are not going anywhere. We are here,” she told The Independent. That morning, two Jewish men were stabbed by a suspected terrorist on Highfield Avenue.
The two men, named by the Chief Rabbi as Moshe ben Chaya Sarah and Moshe Ben Baila, are in a stable condition in hospital.
It is feared to be the latest in a spate of attacks targeting London’s Jewish community in recent months. These include an arson attack at a synagogue in Finchley on 15 April and another on four Jewish community ambulances in Golders Green in March.
Ms Shitrit, 59, who runs the organisation Eye on Antisemitism, which tackles antisemitic hate crimes, said she had gone to the area “show my solidarity with the Jewish community”.
She says she did the same thing two weeks ago after the attack on Finchley Reform Synagogue and also last month, when the Jewish ambulances were set on fire.
“I feel awful. I feel so sad today. But I want to try and be strong for my brothers and sisters in the community.”
She said that while Jewish people were “very” frightened, they would not back down.
“They are going about their business, they are shopping, they are going to school, they’re holding their babies in their arms.”
A 45-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following the incident. On Wednesday night, police said the suspect had been linked to an “altercation” just two hours before at an address in south east London.
Debbie Fox, the chief executive of the Jewish Leadership Council, said her first reaction to the stabbing was one of “horror”.
Speaking from the scene of the attack, she said: “It’s this pit in my stomach that seems to be there day in and day out. Most of us wake up every morning, and our first thoughts are when and where, not if.
“Jewish people living everywhere in this country and all over the world are fearful. The fear rises every day. We are anxious. The anxiety is becoming the norm.”
She added: “This is not just a rise or a spate. This is becoming a pandemic.”
Dozens of members of the Jewish community at the scene of the stabbing urged the government to take fierce and immediate action in response to the series of attacks that have targeted friends and family.
During a press conference, Met Police Commissioner Mark Rowley and Labour MP Sarah Sackman were met with furious hecklers calling for their resignations, and chanting “shame on you”.
“I understand the anger, I understand the anxiety, because the fear is real. It’s felt right across the Jewish community,” Ms Sackman told the crowd.
Sir Keir Starmer has condemned the “utterly appalling” attack and said the government is “absolutely clear in our determination” to tackle such incidents.
Among those demanding action is Israel Morgenstern, 48, who raced to the scene after hearing his close friend’s son had been stabbed.
The father has lived in the area for 15 years, but said the rate of recent attacks was unlike anything he has experienced in the past.
“There’s been a huge rise in attacks on the Jewish community in this area.”
Mr Morgenstern said they were “not afraid” but were “concerned for our kids who are walking on the street..We don’t know if they’re coming back home.”
He said more needed to be done by police and the government to protect Jewish people, who no longer feel safe in their own neighbourhoods.
Steven Bak, from Jewish neighbourhood watch group Shomrim, said: “We are an organisation which would always run towards danger to protect the community. We’re here always for the community, and nothing will ever stop us. No fear, no hate.
“In the past few months, our volunteers have been really stretched. We’re receiving calls all day, every day. Could be something minor, could be something bigger.
“It’s just getting more and more frequent and common and we just really need further assistance from the government.”
Chief rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis said the attack prompted renewed calls for action, not just “words of condemnation”.
“Following the antisemitic stabbing of two Jewish people on the streets of Golders Green this morning, words of condemnation are no longer sufficient.
“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.”
