Double arson at UK kosher restaurants
Police have launched a manhunt after two arson attacks at kosher restaurants in Manchester in four days.
Police have launched a manhunt after two arson attacks at kosher restaurants in Manchester in four days. No-one was injured in the incidents which both took place in the early hours of the morning, but officers believe them to be linked and confirmed they are treating them as anti-Semitic hate crimes.
In the early hours of Tuesday morning, attackers forced open a window a window at JS Restaurant in Prestwich before pouring accelerant inside and lighting it. The fire service put the blaze out before any serious damage could be done to the property.
It came after Taam Restaurant on Bury New Road was targeted shortly before midnight on June 2 when two offenders threw a milk carton filled with petrol and a lit rag at the premises. The makeshift petrol container failed to ignite before a large stone was thrown at the front window, causing it to smash.
Detective Chief Inspector Charlotte Cadden of GMP’s Bury Borough said “Thankfully no-one was injured in either attack, but we are treating these as anti-semitic hate crimes.”
Meanwhile, in the wake of Saturday night’s terror attack, an event planned for later this month titled A Night to Honour Israel has been cancelled by the organisers.
In an email to supporters Christians United for Israel executive director Des Starritt said: “Islamic extremists have called for the specific targeting of Christians and Jews during the month of Ramadan, during which our event was set to take place. Although no specific threat has been received, we have been advised that our event could be a target.
“It is with wisdom and not fear that the leadership takes this responsibility for the protection of those that would attend, bearing in mind this would be the largest pro-Israel event of the year with both Christians and Jews meeting at a location just a short distance from the two recent London attacks.”
JUSTIN COHEN / UK Jewish News
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