“The Jewish victim of an assault in Stamford Hill has said it will “not change his feelings one iota” towards the Muslim community – as police search for the assailant.”
“Jacob Lipchitz, 64, was attacked last Wednesday by a visibly Muslim individual while walking to shul. He was knocked unconscious and taken to hospital with a broken ankle, as authorities scoured CCTV footage to find the perpetrator.”
“The alleged assailant also appears in footage of two other incidents, all of which are being treated as hate crimes against the local strictly Orthodox community. Police said a 30-year-old man was hit on the head with a bottle and a 14-year-old boy was struck with a newspaper, before Mr Lipchitz was attacked last week.”
“Asked whether it was his first experience of antisemitism, he said: “We all have [come across it], but not from Muslim people as such. Certainly not in Stamford Hill. We generally live in harmony with them. We work together.””
“Despite the assault, he said: “I’m not concerned, I’m not going to be worried or something ”, but that his friends and family do feel a “heightened sense of concern, especially as long as this blighter is at large.””
“He said the attack was “really out of the ordinary” in terms of community relations.”
““It’s not representative of the Muslim community. We get on very well with them. This is almost certainly a lone wolf, and it will not affect one iota as far as I’m concerned, my feelings about the local Muslim community.””
“The Metropolitan Police has so far not made any arrests.”
Read more: Jewish assault victim: ‘It won’t change my feelings towards Muslim community’
Related: Stamford Hill assaults: 28-year-old man arrested (September 2, 2021)
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