The introduction of a new public bus service linking two Jewish enclaves in London is "deeply concerning", a leading political commentator claims.
The new 310 service, which began this week, provides a direct link between Golders Green and Stamford Hill, removing the need for passengers to change buses. It will run from 7am to 7pm as part of a year-long trial.
The London Mayor’s office said it was launched following requests from Jewish organisations, who have campaigned for its existence for the past 16 years.
This may be true but its introduction looks like it has been "sped up" following the "surge of antisemitism" we have seen since October 7, Spiked Political Editor Brendan O'Neill tells GB News, referring to Hamas' attack on Israel, which led to the ongoing war in Gaza and pro-Palestinian marches on the streets of London.
The bus route looks like it has been "sped up" following the 'antisemitism' we have since October 7, says Brendan
GB News
"There has been rampant antisemitism both on those Palestine marches and violent acts of antisemitic hatred against synagogues and Jewish individuals," O'Neill tells GB News.
The number of antisemitic incidents recorded in Britain spiked dramatically in the aftermath of October 7, according to the Community Security Trust (CST), which monitors anti-Jewish abuse and attacks and provides security for UK Jewish communities.
Against this backdrop, the introduction of a "safe" bus route for the Jewish community speaks a thousand words, none of which are good.
"The fact that Jewish people do not feel safe enough to use public transport that the rest of us use and feel that they need their own safe bus route is a real indictment of London in 2024," said O'Neill
The Spiked Political Editor blames the antisemitism on an unholy alliance of "hard left" and "radical Islamists", adding that "it's deeply concerning we cannot keep Jewish people safe from these constituencies".
On the face of it, the Mayor's attempt to facilitate the safe passage of Jewish people is to be commended.
“I know there have been concerns about safety given the terrible rise in antisemitism and this route will provide a safe, sustainable and affordable route for local residents," Sadiq Khan is quoted as saying at the launch last week.
However, this strikes Brendan as tokenistic and further proof of the Labour Party's unwillingness to crack down on antisemitism.
The move strikes Brendan as tokenistic
PA/GB News/X/TfLIn the political commentator's opinion, Khan was "adamant" that the pro-Palestine marches should go ahead even though he was "well aware" they would provide an outlet for "open Semitism".
O'Neill alleges that he attended one of the marches for around half an hour "just to observe it" and within that short timeframe he saw a "group of young Muslim boys issuing an ancient Arabic chant, calling for the death of Jews and the return of the army of Muhammed".
GB News cannot independently verify O'Neill's claims, but social media is awash with examples of antisemitism.
A clip from an event in May, posted on social media, shows a man spitting on the ground in front of pro-Israel counter-protesters before being moved on by police.
Jonathan Cohen KC, who attended the counter-demonstration, told The Telegraph: “There were members of the Palestinian protests, who were openly praising Hamas.
“We were spat at, we were told to go back to Poland.
“Anybody who thinks that the streets of London are safe for Jews is simply wrong.”
O'Neill acknowledges that peaceful protesters also attend the marches but feels like the London Mayor just "sat back" while militant factions chanted "From the river to sea Palestine will be free, which means eradicating Israel" and "openly supported Hamas and the Houthis".
He also cites the egregious example of the three people at a pro-Palestine march in central London who displayed images "celebrating" the paragliders just seven days after Hamas used the tactic to attack Israel. They were later found guilty.
"There have been open displays of antisemitic hatred on our streets from both upper-middle-class leftists and radical Islamists, and the London Mayor was either aware of it and didn't care about it, or he wasn't aware of it and ignorant, so for him now to wring his hands and say there's an antisemitism problem so I am supporting this bus route is a bit rich."
In response to a request for comment, the London Mayor's office told GB News: "The Mayor has always been clear that the freedom to protest is a cornerstone of our democracy but there is absolutely no place in our city for spreading hate and fear.
"Antisemitism and Islamophobia has no place whatsoever in society and the Mayor has led from the front to ensure the police takes a zero-tolerance approach to all hate crime - investing record amounts in the Met – and a record £11million in combatting hatred, intolerance and extremism in all its forms and support for grassroots community groups to stand up to hate.
"He has also met with Jewish and Muslim faith leaders following a rise in hate crimes in the capital, including the Community Security Trust (CST) and Tell MAMA, to discuss measures to keep Londoners safe."