Golders Green: three victims, two communities, one duty

On Wednesday 29 April, two Jewish men were stabbed in Golders Green, north-west London. Counter Terrorism Policing declared it a terrorist incident.

The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised charges against Essa Suleiman, 45, of Camberwell:

• two counts of attempted murder, relating to Golders Green;
• one count of possessing a bladed article in a public place;
• the attempted murder of a third man at an address on Great Dover Street, Southwark, earlier the same day.

He appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday 1 May and was remanded in custody. The case now proceeds through the courts. Nothing in this article comments on the evidence or on guilt. Those are matters for a jury.

First, solidarity

The men attacked in Golders Green were named in court as Shloime Rand, 34, and Norman Shine, 76, known locally as Moshe Shine. The attack came after a frightening spring for Jewish Londoners. In March, Hatzola ambulances were set alight, and synagogues and Jewish institutions were attacked. The national threat level has now been raised to severe.

BSPAC stands with the Jewish community without qualification. Jewish Londoners should be able to walk to synagogue, to work or to a bus stop without fear. Antisemitism is a hatred with a long and murderous history, and it has no place in Britain.

British Muslim organisations said the same, and quickly. Shabir Randeree, chair of the British Muslim Trust, said the Trust "stands in total solidarity with the Jewish community". He added: "The hatred and violence directed towards British Jews is the opposite of everything this country stands for." The next day, Muslim and Jewish women walked together to the scene. That is the Britain worth defending.

The victim at the edge of the story

There was a third victim.

At about 08:50 that morning, police were called to an address on Great Dover Street. The Metropolitan Police said a man armed with a knife had an "altercation" with the occupant, who was injured. The prosecution has since charged attempted murder.

The victim was named in court, and by the Muslim Council of Britain, as Ishmail Hussein. He is a Muslim man, reported by 5Pillars to be of Somali heritage.

Much of the early coverage told a story of two victims. A Metropolitan Police post on 1 May referred only to "two men stabbed in Golders Green". The Muslim Council of Britain said "far less attention was given" to the attack on Mr Hussein.

We do not suggest anyone set out to erase him. Golders Green was declared a terrorist incident and Great Dover Street was not. That distinction is for the police and the courts. But a victim is a victim. Naming all three costs nothing. Leaving one out does lasting damage to trust.

No collective blame

Police have described the man charged as a British national born in Somalia. Some are already using that fact to blame an entire community.

British Somalis are no more responsible for one man's alleged actions than any other group is for its worst member. Collective blame is the logic of the bigot, whoever it is aimed at.

Many British Somali families are anxious about travelling, about their children's safety and about what they are reading online. Anyone who experiences abuse should report it to the police or to the British Muslim Trust helpline on 0808 172 3524.

Hatred aimed at Somalis protects no Jewish Londoner. It simply adds another frightened community to the list.

A fair question for the record

According to the Metropolitan Police's own account, officers reached Great Dover Street "within around six minutes" of the call. They searched the area, but the suspect was not located. Police were called to Highfield Avenue, Golders Green, at 11:16. That is almost two and a half hours later.

How information about an armed suspect was shared across London in that window is a legitimate question of public interest. It concerns institutions, not the accused. We will report any review or referral if one is made.

We also recognise the courage of the officers and volunteers who confronted an armed man in Golders Green. Counter Terrorism Policing has asked everyone to avoid speculation so that justice can run its course. That request deserves respect from every side.

Three men were attacked on 29 April. Two communities were hurt, and a third is being blamed. Real solidarity means holding all of that at once.