Men arrested over pro-Palestinian convoy linked to previous anti-Semitic incident

A pro-Palestine convoy car, from which activists chanted: "F--- the Jews, rape their daughters" was linked to another “anti-Semitic attack” hours before, it has emerged, as plans for another protest circulated online.

On Sunday, activists protesting against Israel's attacks on Gaza drove in convoy through Jewish neighbourhoods in north-west London. The Metropolitan Police have since arrested and bailed four men in connection with a video which appeared to show anti-Semitic abuse being shouted through a megaphone from a car.

On Monday, The Telegraph revealed that police forces in Manchester and Essex were also investigating separate reports of anti-Semitic incidents.

The multiple investigations prompted the Community Security Trust (CST), a charity that protects British Jews from anti-Semitism and related threats, to warn that incidents of anti-Semitism in the UK would “continue, or indeed worsen”, until the conflict in the Middle East subsides.

However, it can now be reported that the four men – who cannot be identified for legal reasons – arrested by Scotland Yard on suspicion of racially aggravated public order offences, were also arrested in connection to a similar incident which took place just hours earlier in Greater Manchester.

The Telegraph understands that the incident, which happened in the early hours of Sunday morning in Salford, involved two vehicles, each with multiple occupants.

It is alleged that the two vehicles began following a religious Jewish man in his car, before passengers exited their vehicles and attempted to smash his car windows. He rammed his vehicle into the other vehicles in order to escape.

Plans for another “Palestine Car Protest” this Sunday are circulating on social media. The new convoy is being advertised as travelling from the West Midlands to London, with its only two stops being at the ultra-Orthodox Jewish neighbourhood of Stamford Hill and the Israeli embassy.

The convoy, which is being promoted as an “organised demonstration” by the companies: NV Motorsport in the West Midlands and Illest Words in east London, costs £20 per car, with each car to be given a flag and with “all proceeds [going] direct to Palestine”.

In response to the plans, a spokesman for the CST said that it would be discussing plans for another convoy with police, given the “particular concern about the meet-up in Stamford Hill”.

“We’re concerned about another car convoy, given the amount of disquiet and the impact on community tension following Sunday’s convoy, in particular with the convoy going through Jewish neighbourhoods.”

The Prime Minister joined politicians from across the political spectrum, including several of his Cabinet ministers, in condemning the anti-Semitic slurs filmed in London over the weekend.

Making a statement on anti-Semitic attacks Robert Jenrick, the Communities Secretary, told the Commons: "No one could fail to be appalled by the disgraceful scenes of anti-Semitic abuse being directed at members of the Jewish community in the past week".

Mr Jenrick added that the Government would shortly name and shame councils and universities which refused to sign up to The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of anti-Semitism.

Fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants shows no sign of abating.

Sunday saw the bloodiest attack in Gaza so far, with 42 killed in a single strike by the Israeli military.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, said the attacks would continue with "full force" until underground tunnels, which Israel says harbour Hamas militants, have been destroyed and as ongoing rocket fire from the Palestinian militant group continues to target Israel.

Responding to the arrests in London, a Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “Police received reports of people shouting anti-Semitic abuse from a car travelling as part of a convoy of vehicles through the St John's Wood area on the afternoon of Sunday, May 16.

“Enquiries were carried out and officers traced the car to the A40 in Hillingdon. The police helicopter was deployed and officers stopped the car at approximately 18:30hrs.

“Four men were arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated public order offences. They were taken into custody at a west London police station.

“Whilst there, they were additionally arrested in connection with a similar incident which took place at around 01.35hrs on Sunday, May 16 in the Broughton Park area of Salford, Manchester.

“They have since been released on bail pending further enquiries in relation to both incidents.”

Greater Manchester Police also confirmed that the force is aware of an incident in Salford in which Jewish-owned cars were vandalised – officers are currently investigating.

Separately, Rafi Goodwin, a rabbi from Chigwell, Essex, was taken to hospital after being attacked in the street and abused with anti-Semitic slurs.

The motive for the attack is unknown but Essex Police confirmed that the incident was not linked to wider pro-Palestine protests that occurred over the weekend.

Responding to the incident in the early hours of Sunday morning, a Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: “Police were called at around 1.35am on Sunday 16 May to reports of criminal damage and disorder on Upper Park Road in Broughton Park, Salford.

“The incident appears to be religiously or racially aggravated and enquiries are ongoing.

“No injuries were reported.

“Four men have since been arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated public order and racially aggravated criminal damage. They have been bailed pending further enquiries.

“This behaviour will not be tolerated and high visibility patrols have been increased in the area.”