Jewish Woman Assaulted in Antisemitic Attack at London Kosher Deli

A young Jewish woman was assaulted at Reubens Deli & Restaurant, a historic kosher eatery on Baker Street in London’s Marylebone neighborhood, earlier this the afternoon in an incident the Metropolitan Police are investigating as a hate crime. The attack involved a pro-Palestinian woman who allegedly threw food and a mobile phone at the victim after confirming the restaurant’s kosher status and the woman’s Jewish identity.

The assault took place at Reubens, a family-owned establishment at 79 Baker Street, known as the UK’s longest-running kosher restaurant since opening in 1973. The female assailant approached the victim, who was dining, and asked if the restaurant was kosher and if she was Jewish. Upon receiving affirmative responses, the attacker reportedly became aggressive, throwing food onto the victim and hurling a phone at her in what was described as a “violent antisemitic assault.” Video footage circulating online captured the confrontation.

The Metropolitan Police responded promptly, arresting the suspect, a woman described as pro-Palestinian, on suspicion of committing a hate crime. The victim, whose identity has not been disclosed to protect her privacy, was left shaken but did not require hospitalization. Authorities are reviewing the video evidence and collecting witness statements to further the investigation, with no additional details released about the suspect.

The attack has sent shockwaves through London’s Jewish community, particularly given Reubens’ cultural significance as a cherished kosher venue. The incident follows a series of antisemitic attacks in the UK, strengthening fears about the safety of Jewish individuals in public spaces. Community leaders and social media voices have condemned the assault, with some labeling it a desecration of Jewish spaces and calling for justice.

The attack echoes prior antisemitic incidents in London, such as the December 2023 assault on a Jewish woman in Stamford Hill, where two teenagers targeted Jewish women in a series of hate-motivated attacks, leaving one unconscious. That case, prosecuted as a hate crime, pointed to heightened concerns about antisemitism in the UK, particularly following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and subsequent global tensions.

The Crown Prosecution Service’s success in securing tougher sentences for similar hate crimes, as seen in the 2023 Stamford Hill case, suggests a firm legal stance, but community members remain wary.

The investigation is ongoing, with police reviewing footage and witness statements.