Charedi Councillor Faces Third Antisemitic Attack in Three Months

A Charedi councillor in north London has reported experiencing antisemitic abuse for the third time in as many months. On November 24, 2023, Mark Grosskopf, the councillor for South Tottenham, was verbally assaulted while entering Tottenham Town Hall for a council session. An unidentified man yelled antisemitic slurs at him, raising concerns about public safety and police accountability.

As Grosskopf approached the town hall, he was confronted by a man described as white and in his mid-40s. The individual leaned over a security barrier, shouting, “F***ing Jew, Free Palestine.” Shocked by the incident, Grosskopf initially wanted to confront the man but was quickly escorted inside by security for his own safety.

Shortly thereafter, he reported the incident to nearby police officers who were monitoring an unrelated demonstration. In an email exchange the following day, the police assured Grosskopf that they would attempt to arrest the man, indicating that he would likely face hate crime charges.

Despite this promise, over ten days later, the Metropolitan Police confirmed that no arrest had been made and efforts to identify the suspect were still ongoing. The police stated, “Officers are investigating a hate crime after a 48-year-old man reported he had been verbally abused because of his religion outside Tottenham Town Hall, on Monday, 24 November at around 18:30 hours.” They added that investigations include gathering CCTV footage and liaising with the victim.

Grosskopf expressed his concerns regarding the psychological impact of the incident, stating, “I felt shocked, humiliated, and unsafe being verbally abused with an antisemitic slur as I entered my workplace to carry out my duties as a councillor.” He accused the Metropolitan Police of practicing “two-tier policing,” suggesting that if the incident had involved someone else, immediate action would have been taken.

“After the attack on Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester and the recent demonstration outside St John’s Wood Synagogue, one would expect the police to take this seriously,” he remarked. He emphasized that his experience raises concerns about why many people choose not to report antisemitic incidents.

The Metropolitan Police responded to Grosskopf’s remarks, stating they were “incredibly sorry he feels this way” and reaffirmed their commitment to actively investigating the offense.

This latest incident adds to a troubling pattern for Grosskopf, who was also targeted in two prior incidents within the last few months. In September, he faced antisemitic threats while attending a conference in Liverpool, where he was confronted by a man shouting accusations about harming children in Gaza. Merseyside Police later arrested a suspect in connection with that episode.

In another event, Grosskopf was verbally attacked while walking home from synagogue with fellow Jewish residents, where a teenager shouted “free, free Palestine.”

These experiences have taken a toll on Grosskopf’s confidence in fulfilling his public duties. “As someone who works to bring communities together through my role as a councillor and as part of the Haringey Multi-Faith Forum, being targeted with antisemitic hate is particularly distressing and demoralising,” he stated.

He further noted that he now feels the need to constantly assess his safety in different areas, saying, “This constant threat assessment is exhausting and has become a regular part of my daily life.”

As Grosskopf continues to advocate for community cohesion, the ongoing investigations into these incidents serve as a reminder of the challenges faced by public figures in their commitment to serve diverse communities.