Jewish Consultant Attacked in London for Opposing Anti-Israel Graffiti
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
A Jewish media consultant, Dan Levin, was assaulted in central London for trying to stop anti-Israel graffiti targeting Labour candidate Segal Abdi-Wali. London Police are investigating the incident as an antisemitic hate crime. The graffiti and attack occurred during a local election campaign where Israel has become a contentious issue. Levin suggested the attackers may be linked to the Green Party, but this remains unconfirmed.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Dan Levin was attacked in London for confronting individuals spray-painting anti-Israel graffiti.
- London Police are investigating the assault as an antisemitic hate crime.
- The graffiti targeted Labour candidate Segal Abdi-Wali, calling her a "puppet of the murderous Israeli regime."
- Levin sustained a cracked rib and bruises during the attack.
- The incident occurred during a local election campaign where Israel has become a major political issue.
- Levin suggested potential attackers might be Green Party supporters, though this is unconfirmed.
A 52-year-old Jewish media consultant, Dan Levin, was violently assaulted in central London this week after attempting to prevent two protesters from spray-painting an anti-Israel message targeting a local election candidate. London Police confirmed they are investigating the incident as an antisemitic hate crime.
Levin, who describes himself as a "proud Jew," recounted that on Tuesday evening, he encountered two men spray-painting a wall in Queens Square, Holborn. The graffiti read, "Don't vote for Segal Abdi-Wali, puppet of the murderous Israeli regime." Levin stated he intervened, telling the men their behavior resembled neo-Nazis. According to Levin, the men then attacked him, with one kicking his legs and knocking him down while he tried to film them. He described being kicked near the head and hit in the ribs. The assault reportedly ended when a woman and a passerby intervened, and the two attackers fled.
Levin sustained a cracked rib and bruises, later posting a bloodied photo of himself on X. Police reported his injuries were minor and did not require hospitalization. Investigators took his statement and confirmed the incident is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime.
The graffiti was directed at Segal Abdi-Wali, a Labour Party candidate in the Holborn and St Pancras borough elections. Abdi-Wali, a Muslim, has been the target of an anti-Israel campaign attempting to portray her as controlled by Zionist elements. Similar graffiti has appeared elsewhere in the borough.
Levin, while not a political activist, suggested the attackers might be supporters of the Green Party, whose candidate is Zak Polanski. He asserted that voting for the Greens has emboldened anti-Zionism and antisemitism, giving people a license to attack Jews. However, there is no official indication that the Green Party or Polanski endorsed the campaign against Abdi-Wali, nor is it clear if the attackers are linked to the party or the campaign.
The incident occurred amidst a local election campaign where the issue of Israel has become a significant point of contention, alongside heated debates over the war in Gaza and Zionism. Police are continuing their investigation.
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