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Swastikas left in London playground are attempt to instil fear, says rabbi Swastikas drawn in London playground are attempt to instil fear, says rabbi
(35 minutes later)
A rabbi has warned of a rise in rightwing extremism after drawings of swastikas were left in a children’s playground in what he described as an attempt to “instil fear”.A rabbi has warned of a rise in rightwing extremism after drawings of swastikas were left in a children’s playground in what he described as an attempt to “instil fear”.
The Nazi symbols have appeared four days in a row at Amhurst Park in Stamford Hill, north London, in one instance being stuck to the back of a car.The Nazi symbols have appeared four days in a row at Amhurst Park in Stamford Hill, north London, in one instance being stuck to the back of a car.
The presence of an Ajex house – a home for Jewish ex-British service personnel – nearby is no coincidence, said Rabbi Herschel Gluck.The presence of an Ajex house – a home for Jewish ex-British service personnel – nearby is no coincidence, said Rabbi Herschel Gluck.
“I think sadly this is the rise of rightwing extremism. There are elderly people who served in the British army and fought in the second world war living nearby and I think that is particularly poignant. I think it’s an attempt to intimidate and instil fear.”“I think sadly this is the rise of rightwing extremism. There are elderly people who served in the British army and fought in the second world war living nearby and I think that is particularly poignant. I think it’s an attempt to intimidate and instil fear.”
Gluck said such incidents must be treated seriously, especially in light of the death of Labour MP Jo Cox. Gluck said such incidents must be treated seriously.
He added: “Even though these may seem small things, this can be the thin end of the wedge and lead to more serious matters and therefore they must not be tolerated.”He added: “Even though these may seem small things, this can be the thin end of the wedge and lead to more serious matters and therefore they must not be tolerated.”
Polish-born Ita Symons, whose family fled the country at the outbreak of the second world war, said such acts were a clear attempt to scare people.Polish-born Ita Symons, whose family fled the country at the outbreak of the second world war, said such acts were a clear attempt to scare people.
The chief executive of the Agudas Israel housing association, who came to Britain in 1946, said: “It is so shocking. The intention is to scare and incite hatred.The chief executive of the Agudas Israel housing association, who came to Britain in 1946, said: “It is so shocking. The intention is to scare and incite hatred.
“For Jewish people, a swastika is about the most frightening, terrible symbol associated with murder and death.”“For Jewish people, a swastika is about the most frightening, terrible symbol associated with murder and death.”
The Metropolitan police said the force was investigating following the discoveries made between June 14-17, but had made no arrests.The Metropolitan police said the force was investigating following the discoveries made between June 14-17, but had made no arrests.