Police launch antisemitism investigations after Jewish man targeted twice in same night in central London
Footage of a man being abused on a bus near Oxford Street and later on a Tube escalator was circulating on social media.
Monday 5 July 2021 13:20, UK
Police have launched two antisemitism investigations after a Jewish man suffered antisemitic abuse twice in an hour in central London.
Footage circulating online shows the man, named only as Yosef, on a bus to Oxford Street at around 11.40pm on Saturday night being approached by another passenger.
The Metropolitan Police said he was then subject to a "torrent of abuse", with footage also showing the man's life being threatened.
The force said: "A man was reported to have made antisemitic comments and threats towards another passenger on a route 113 bus near Oxford Circus.
"Officers are aware of a video posted on social media following the incident and will be meeting the victim to gather further information about this incident.
"Enquiries are ongoing. There has been no arrests at this time."
In a separate video an hour later, Yosef is abused again while going down a tube escalator.
One man can be heard saying "F* hate you Jew".
Yosef's brother, who asked not to be named, said he was targeted because he looked "obviously Jewish" and added the offenders "were not concerned about the repercussions".
He said he has been left "very shaken" as a result.
He told the PA news agency: "The bus incident happened when the suspect noticed my brother. There was no prior communication before they lashed out [at him].
"It wasn't just a mere verbal assault. He was very close to being physically attacked by this vicious assailant."
Yosef's brother said the passenger leaned in close to his face and tried to punch him but Yosef stopped him.
"He was shouting angrily 'I'll give you an uppercut, I'll give you an uppercut'," he said.
Yosef then managed to "de-escalate" the situation by talking to the passenger, but still was faced with "ugly racist remarks and death threats," the brother added.
The incident ended after the bus driver called the police, he said.
According to his brother, Yosef was wearing a hat and kippah that evening.
In a statement, British Transport Police said they were aware of the video posted online.
"We take such incidents extremely seriously and are investigating," they said.
"We believe everyone has the right to travel on the rail and underground without fear or intimidation.
"If anybody has any information contact us on 0800 405040 or text 61016 quoting ref 90 of 4 July 2021."
Again, no arrests have been made.