Islamophobic hate crimes soar amid Israel war on Gaza: London police

There has been a 140 percent increase in lslamophobic hate crimes in the British capital amid the brutal Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip, London’s Metropolitan police said.

Between October 1 and 18, the Metropolitan Police recorded 103 Islamophobic incidents in London, up from 42 across the same period last year.

Police said a man was arrested for 10 alleged incidents of Islamophobic graffiti at bus stops in New Malden and Raynes Park, south London.

“Regrettably, despite the increased presence of officers we have seen a significant increase in hate crime across London," police said in a statement on Friday.

"This includes abuse directed at individuals or groups in person or online, racially or religiously motivated criminal damage and other offenses."

TellMama, which monitors anti-Muslim incidents, said it had received 200 cases up to October 16.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan also confirmed that the war on Gaza "is having a direct impact on London and Londoners, with increasing cases of abhorrent Islamophobia and anti-semitism seen in the capital."

Police said there had been 218 anti-semitic offences between October 1 and 18, compared to 15 in the same period in 2022.

The Israeli regime launched its deadly bombing campaign over the Gaza Strip after the Palestinian resistance group Hamas waged Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying regime.

Well over 4,100 Palestinians have so far been killed across the Strip, according to figures from the health ministry. Nearly 13,500 individuals have also been injured.

MG