An acclaimed Jewish music producer was pushed in front of an oncoming car in Finchley on Sunday in an alleged antisemitic attack.
Brian Harris, who has worked with the likes of Barry White in a career spanning three decades, was walking near Woodside Park Synagogue when a man allegedly began shouting anti-Jewish slurs.
“He was yelling the most horrendous abuse at the top of his voice,” Harris told the JC. “‘Heil Hitler’, ‘death to all Jews’, ‘you are all c***s’, ‘you should all die’, ‘you should all be buried’ - the most vile things.”
Harris said that he told the man that, if he continued, he was going to call the police, at which point he apparently became even louder and said: “F*** off you Jew, you should be dead.”
“I called the police,” Harris went on, “and while I was talking to them, I could see him out of the corner of my eye.
“He suddenly ran at me and threw me in front of a car that was doing about 25 mph down Woodside Park Road.
“Luckily, it was a young driver, so he was very quick to react. Had he not reacted so quickly, I would have been hit head-on.”
However, the side of the car still caught Harris, leaving his legs badly bruised, though he said he did not require hospital treatment.
“As I was walking down to get a coffee on Monday, for the first time in my life, I didn’t like people walking behind me. It made me feel uncomfortable,” he continued.
“Britain 2026, and I was pushed in front of a moving vehicle because I am a Jew.”
The Metropolitan Police told the JC: “Police are investigating a racially-aggravated assault in Woodside Park Road, North Finchley.
“Around 11.30hrs on Sunday, March 10, officers responded to reports that a man... was subject to antisemitic abuse and pushed in front of a car. The victim sustained no injuries, and the suspect left the scene before police arrived.
“No arrests have been made, and officers are making urgent enquiries. Police patrols have already been stepped up in the surrounding area.
“The suspect is described as a white man, of medium build, with black hair. He was wearing dark sunglasses, a dark woolly hat and a black hoodie.
“Anybody who witnessed the incident – or who has information – is urged to call 101, quoting reference 2776/08MAR. Alternatively, an anonymous report can be made via independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
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