King Charles III has visited Golders Green to meet the victims of last month’s stabbings in the neighbourhood, in a show of support for the Jewish community, and spoke of his concerns about rising antisemitism.
He visited a Jewish Care charity centre to meet victims Shloime Rand, 34, and 76-year-old Moshe Shine, referred to in court as Norman Shine.
Outside, the King greeted crowds of well-wishers, commenting to one man that “it’s a dangerous world isn’t it?”
He also met Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis, who said the royal visit to north London was “appreciated enormously”.
While at the Jewish Care charity centre, the King also met members of the first response medical and security teams who were on the scene following the stabbings and when ambulances from a Jewish charity, Hatzola, were set alight.
The King also spoke to members of the Jewish community volunteer group Shomrim, who were involved in responding to the attacks on 29 April.
Gary Ost from Shomrim said “He raised his concerns that he has regarding the rise in antisemitism, especially locally in the last few weeks.
“This is a strong message for each and every one of us; we feel that we are not alone here.”
During the visit to Golders Green, the King spent time greeting a number of people who had gathered outside the charity centre, and said to some waiting: “I hope I haven’t disrupted your normal activities too much.”
Some said a special Jewish blessing recited on seeing a King.
There have been a series of arson attacks against Jewish community buildings including synagogues. Police are investigating to see if there is a possible Iranian link.
Recently, Prince Harry wrote in the New Statesman about a “deeply troubling” rise in antisemitism in the UK, which he said had led to “lethal violence” against the Jewish community.
In relation to the stabbings of 29 April, Essa Suleiman, 45, appeared in court on 1 May accused of two counts of attempted murder.
Source: BBC
