In CCTV footage of the incident, two vandals dressed in black approach the business. One smashes the shopfront with what appears to be a hammer, before the other sprays red paint from a canister that says Palestine.
CCTV filmed the two vandals attacking the store[Missing Credit]
The Stamford Hill business, situated less than 150 metres from the nearest synagogue, is owned by members of the strictly Orthodox Jewish community.
The interior of the business was effected by the attack[Missing Credit]
Rabbi Herschel Gluck, president of Shomrim and a lifelong Stamford Hill resident, called the attack “a very disturbing development”. He said the owners were “in shock” and devastated when they saw the damage on Thursday morning.
“Look at the property, these people did a full monty on it, they didn’t spare anything. They smashed up the shop, everything – including computer, tables, chairs – everything was destroyed,” he said.
Shomrim, a charity that provides security in Orthodox areas, was called as soon as the damage was discovered on Thursday morning and the Metropolitan Police were notified shortly afterwards. The force was seen gathering statements from locals and collecting evidence from the scene of the crime.
“When something like this happens to a space that you own, that traumatises a person,” Gluck added. “It is traumatic seeing scenes like that.”
The police gathered bags of evidence at the scene of the incident[Missing Credit]
The attack bears similarity to an incident earlier this month in Prestwich, north Manchester, where another Jewish-owned business was vandalised overnight to coincide with the anniversary of Israel’s independence. In that case, the anti-Israel direct action group Palestine Action claimed responsibility.
That incident also saw red paint thrown across the front of the building and the words “Happy Nakba Day” graffitied on an external wall.
Palestine Action has been approached by the JC for comment.
Speaking to the Guardian, Max Geller, a spokesperson for Palestine Action, denied that targeting the Stamford Hill business was antisemitic. He said: “We treat all businesses which work with Israel’s biggest weapons firm equally, irrespective of the identities of those businesses’ owners.
“We are 600 days into a genocide perpetrated by companies operating in Britain. Whether businesses supply Elbit or provide them with the premises to build Israeli weapons, we will target them until they drop Elbit.”
A spokesperson for the Met Police told the JC: “On Thursday, May 29 at 07:23hrs officers were called to two business premises on Stamford Hill, N16 which had been vandalised.
“Enquiries are ongoing and no arrests have been made at this stage. This incident is being treated as racially aggravated criminal damage.
“We understand the concern this may cause members of the Jewish community. Officers are working with community leaders and patrols have increased across the local area.
“Anyone with information is asked to call 101 and quote CAD 1397/29MAY. You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
