On Thursday, a group of teenagers allegedly attacked two Jewish Free School (JFS) school buses carrying students in London, England.
The mob allegedly threw rocks and trash at the bus before four of the teenagers boarded it, Jewish Chronicle reported. reported. (Related: Masked attacker targets Jewish students on DePaul University campus)
“I heard what sounded like screaming coming from the bus behind me,” the 12-year-old student told the publication. “People in the back of the bus were screaming, 'Oh my God, they're throwing trash and stones,'” he said. A 12-year-old boy said the rioters threw “big heavy stones” that he believed were taken from a nearby park.
Teenage thugs attack and board JFS school bus while shouting “Fuck Israel” at children https://t.co/OB10j1UZF1
— Jewish Chronicle (@JewishChron) November 28, 2024
“They also taunted us, saying, ‘Fuck Israel, no one likes you.’” Fuck you, fuck you. They were having fun filming us. There were many people on the street, but no one tried to stop them. It was scary and I hope something like this never happens again,” the child said.
“They came, but they didn't seem friendly,” said 11-year-old Gabi, who was on the other bus. “They went upstairs and started cussing, holding up their middle fingers. I saw them run downstairs – they were filming us – and then they got off and went to the bus. “I don't know where they got the stones, but they probably put them in their bags,” she said.
The parent of one of the Jewish students called the police. British Jewish Community Security Trust (CST) charity work Organizations that protect Jews from terrorism and anti-Semitism have taken action following the incident. “This stop is close to another school and there have been troubles with children from this other school before. We are supporting JFS and are discussing whether the other school can address it.” said Dave Rich of CST. director He spoke to the Jewish Chronicle about the policy.
Mr Rich said CST had recommended that London Police increase its presence at the bus stop where the incident occurred. “We are currently in consultation with the bus company and will immediately report any incident to the police. At this time, a temporary driver came. Their regular team has been operating school buses for the past 20 years. We are driving and doing everything in our power to keep our children safe,” JFS said in an email to students' parents.
JFS was founded in 1732 as the Jewish Free School. From the organization's website say. “JFS has a tradition of academic excellence, social responsibility, and community involvement, and has grown to become one of the most prestigious Jewish schools in the world,” the website says.
Since Hamas's bloody attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, anti-Semitism has skyrocketed around the world. According to FBI data, anti-Semitic hate crimes increased by more than 50% in 2023 compared to 2022 in the United States alone. On October 18, nearly two weeks after the October 7 massacre, a synagogue in Germany was firebombed with an incendiary bomb, leading European authorities to blame a growing tide of anti-Semitism across the continent.
a recent opinion polls Twelve percent of French residents said they would welcome a country “without Jews.”
