In response to a surge in anti-Semitic incidents, transport authorities in London have launched a new public bus service designed to directly connect two areas with significant Jewish populations: Golders Green and Stamford Hill. The move addresses concerns raised by the Jewish community about the safety and convenience of traveling between these neighborhoods.
The initiative, announced this week, eliminates the need for passengers to transfer buses at Finsbury Park, a change that London Mayor Sadiq Khan said was driven by feedback from the community. Khan noted that many Jewish individuals had expressed fear and experienced abuse during bus transfers, prompting the need for a more secure and direct route.
The new bus service was met with approval from Jewish organizations. Andrew Gilbert and Adrian Cohen, co-chairs of the London Jewish Forum, praised the development as a significant step in enhancing safety and confidence for Jewish commuters. “In a period where our community is encountering unprecedented anti-Semitism, any measure that bolsters the confidence of Jewish individuals in using public transport is immensely valued,” they stated.
Khan highlighted that the Jewish community had been advocating for a direct transport link for 16 years. He attributed the recent increase in anti-Semitism to the escalation of tensions following the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7 of the previous year. The heightened anti-Semitic sentiment has resulted in a marked increase in abusive incidents reported by those traveling between Stamford Hill and Golders Green.
Passengers on the new service have expressed relief and satisfaction. One woman, traveling with her young son, described the service as both safer and more convenient. She noted, “I feel safer and it’s very convenient. I avoid going out in the evening,” reflecting a broader concern within the community about rising anti-Semitic incidents.
Jochanan, a 70-year-old passenger, shared his previous experience of taking taxis due to safety concerns at bus changeover points. He compared the current climate to pre-war Germany, emphasizing the deep-seated anxieties among older generations.
According to the Community Security Trust (CST), which tracks anti-Semitic incidents in the UK, the first half of the year saw a record number of such incidents. The CST reported 1,978 anti-Semitic incidents from January to June, marking a 105-percent increase compared to the same period in 2023. This surge continues from a previous spike following the October 7 attack.
The introduction of the new bus service is seen as a crucial step in addressing these concerns, providing a safer and more direct means of transportation for London’s Jewish community.
