The knife rampage comes after four Jewish community ambulances were firebombed last month.
The Green Party leader has been criticised for previous comments about anti-Semitic attacks (Image: Getty)
Zack Polanski has been slammed for remarks he made before two Jewish men were stabbeed in Golders Green on Wednesday (April 29). The Green Party leader, who is Jewish and changed his name to reflect his heritage when he turned 18, previously suggested fears of anti-Semitic attacks may just be a “perception of unsafety”.
Police were called to reports that two people had been stabbed in Highland Avenue, just a short distance from where four Jewish community ambulances were firebombed last month, at around 11.15am. Armed officers rushed to the scene and the suspect, 45, also tried to stab them before being Tasered and arrested. Meanwhile, two Jewish men, aged 76 and 34, were rushed to hospital with stab wounds. Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, of the Metropolitan Police, has since declared the attack a terrorist incident while the offender has been identified as a British national who was born in Somalia.
As police continue to investigate the stabbings and recent arson attacks, Mr Polanski has been criticised for remarks he made to Israeli paper Haaretz on April 22. He said that, although he is worried about the rise in anti-Semitic attacks, the concerns may be overblown.
He said: “We saw arson attacks on ambulances, we know that increasingly Jewish communities are feeling unsafe. There’s a conversation to be had about whether it‘s a perception of unsafety or whether it’s actual unsafety, but neither is acceptable.”
After the interview, he posted on X that Jewis communities are “living in fear”. He added: “At the same time, anti-Semitism is being weaponised to shut down criticism of the Israeli government.”
Following the recent attack at Golders Green, Mr Polanski said: “Horrendous attack in Golders Green. Thinking of the victims, their families and everyone who will once again be shaken by this attack. Thank you to all of those involved with the emergency response.”
Two Jewish men were stabbed in London on Wednesday (Image: Getty)
However, his post on X has drawn criticism, with a number pointing out his previous comments. One person wrote: “Don’t know why he’s worried, it’s probably just a perception of unsafety and a couple of unstabbings.”
A second said: “Your leadership of the Green Party is the greatest current threat to the Jewish community.”
Sir Keir Starmer previously branded some of the Green Party leader’s comments “disgraceful”. He replied by accusing the Prime Minister of “playing silly games with a really serious issue” and said anti-Semitism should be treated with the “consideration and care and nuance that a really serious issue requires.”