An Orthodox Jewish man was assaulted and subjected to antisemitic abuse in Slough, Berkshire, on Monday. Shafiq Rahman, 48, has admitted racially aggravated assault and faces charges including racially aggravated common assault, racially aggravated fear or provocation of violence by words, and criminal damage.
The attack occurred on Elliman Avenue in Slough, where the victim, a building inspector named Moshe, was checking a property. According to multiple reports, the attacker shouted antisemitic slurs including 'dirty Jew' and 'baby killer', and threatened to break the victim's jaw. The attacker also accused the victim of 'killing kids in Palestine'. A passerby in a car shouted encouragement to the attacker, according to two sources. A neighbor threatened to call the police, causing the attacker to leave. The victim recorded the attack on his phone.
I am appalled and startled by what I saw on that footage, a completely unprovoked attack on a man who was simply doing his job.
Moshe, the victim, described the incident to the Daily Mail. According to the report, he was 'minding his own business, facing the house, taking pictures but being very visibly Jewish as I had on a kippah' when he heard the attacker shout 'dirty Jew'. He turned and saw the attacker coming back towards him, so he pressed record on his phone. Moshe also described how a car drove past, shouting something that appeared to encourage the attacker, which he said 'felt like if he had a knife he could have seriously hurt me'.
Moshe's paternal family escaped Nazi Germany to find safety in the UK. He has decided to remove his kippah when outside Jewish areas due to safety concerns. In a statement, he said: 'This incident has changed my perspective on what it is to be a Jew openly in public.'
I believe the victim was wearing a kippah and believes that for this reason he was targeted in this attack.
Shafiq Rahman, of Lismore Park, Slough, has been charged with racially or religiously aggravated common assault, racially or religiously aggravated fear or provocation of violence by words, and criminal damage, according to Thames Valley Police. Multiple reports indicate that Rahman has admitted racially aggravated assault. The victim was not in court for the hearing, according to reports. Judge Devinder Sanhu expressed being 'appalled and startled' by the footage, saying: 'I am appalled and startled by what I saw on that footage, a completely unprovoked attack on a man who was simply doing his job.' Prosecutor Anushka A stated: 'I believe the victim was wearing a kippah and believes that for this reason he was targeted in this attack.'
The attack occurred weeks after four ambulances owned by a Jewish charity were set on fire in Golders Green, north London, according to multiple reports. The Community Security Trust (CST) and Campaign Against Antisemitism have been involved in monitoring such incidents. The broader context of rising antisemitic incidents in the UK has raised concerns among Jewish communities.
Several questions remain unanswered. The outcome of the court hearing for Shafiq Rahman has not been disclosed. It is unclear whether the passerby who encouraged the attacker has been identified or charged. The specific synagogue attack that the victim referred to in his statement has not been confirmed. Additionally, there may be other victims or witnesses who have not come forward. The current condition of the victim's mental state is also unknown.