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| Torah dedication ceremony illustration |
The Jewish community in London was left terrified after a man slammed his car into a group of Jews celebrating a Torah scroll dedication in the streets of London, according to police reports in the United Kingdom.
The man, was also engaged in an anti-Semitic rant during the attack. “I will not let the Jews own my neighborhood,” the man screamed, according to eyewitnesses at the scene.
The incident occurred Sunday in the Stamford Hill neighborhood of London outside the Vizhnitz synagogue.
When the celebrating group reached Stamford Avenue, they heard loud screeches and saw a speeding car. The car then slammed into the crowd.
Moshe Birnbaum, who lives in the neighborhood and was at the scene, said: "There were hundreds of people, men, women and children, dancing in the street. Suddenly, I heard a car honking followed by screaming. I turned around, and I saw a car driven by a young man slam into the crowd. Everyone started fleeing in fear. Several participants tried to stop the man, but he almost ran them over.” “You Jews will not take over our neighborhood," the man yelled. The suspect fled from the scene.
It took a little while until police arrived since the surrounding area was closed due to the event.
Police collected evidence and began searching for the suspect. Later, police arrested the suspect, who confessed, and claimed that the Jews are taking over the neighborhood.
The man was charged with assault.