Andy Drozdziak
Cardinal Vincent Nichols has called for ‘restraint’ and avoiding ‘hateful language and action’ as London saw a “massive increase” in antisemitic incidents following the beginning of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Scotland Yard announced that, between 30th September and 13th October, there were 105 antisemitic incidents and 75 antisemitic offences in the capital, compared with 14 incidents and 12 offences in the same period last year. These incidents have included the playing of German military music and intimidation outside synagogues.
Six days on from the attacks by Hamas, Cardinal Nichols, who is also the archbishop of Westminster, said: “At home, I appeal for restraint and the total avoidance of hateful language and action, as the impact of this conflict is felt in communities here.”
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor explained the contents of a ‘massive increase in antisemitic crime and incidents’ at a press briefing on Friday.
“This will range from everything, to intimidation outside of synagogues, we’ve had incidents of German military music being played loudly and in intimidatory ways, to some more serious offences, a range of offending,” he said.
“It really is everything from that real, basic antisemitic language to some thoroughly offensive behaviour that we saw on Monday evening, where Jewish individuals were confronted by members of a protest group, effectively playing up the issues in Israel and laughing about the number of deaths of Jewish citizens in Israel.”
Cardinal Nichols continued to urge the faithful to pray for peace as conflict escalates and the death toll rises in both Israel and Gaza.
“A week into the terrible conflict in Israel and Gaza, I urge Catholics to sustain their prayers for peace. The horrific atrocities committed by Hamas in Israel warrant every condemnation. We continue to hold in our prayers those who were killed, the injured, those held hostage, their families and communities,” he said.
“The situation facing the millions of civilians in Gaza also calls for effective humanitarian relief. We pray too for those killed, injured and displaced there.”
The Cardinal has particularly recommended praying ‘the great prayer of the Rosary- that this conflict, in the homeland of Mary herself, will quickly come to an end.’
Picture: Pro Palestinian graffiti sprayed on a railway bridge in Golders Green, north London, an area with a prominent Jewish population, as the death toll rises amid ongoing violence in Israel and Gaza following the attack by Hamas. Picture date: Monday 9th October 2023. Copyright holder: Yui Mok/PA Wire © 2023 PA Media, All Rights Reserved
Cardinal Nichols picture: CNS photo/Paul Haring