Man appears in court charged with attempted murder of two Jewish men | BBC News
A 45-year-old Somali-born man, Essa Sullyman, has been charged with attempted murder after stabbing two Jewish men in Golders Green, North London. The attack prompted the UK to raise its terrorism threat level to severe, and sparked controversy over Green Party leader Zach Palansky's social media criticism of police conduct during the arrest.
Summary
Breaking news coverage centers on the charging of 45-year-old Essa Sullyman, born in Somalia and brought to the UK legally as a child, with attempted murder following the stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green, North London. The attack occurred in broad daylight and targeted the victims as they left a synagogue. The 76-year-old victim Mosha Shin was stabbed and remains in stable condition, while 34-year-old Schlomi Rand was also attacked and has since returned home after hospital treatment.
In response to the attack and a broader pattern of antisemitic incidents — including the firebombing of Jewish charity ambulances and the destruction of a war memorial — the UK raised its terrorism threat level to severe, meaning an attack is considered highly likely within the next six months. The government announced £25 million in additional policing funding for Jewish communities near synagogues and schools, and pledged to fast-track legislation targeting groups such as Iran's IRGC. Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited the Golders Green community but received a mixed and at times hostile reception, with residents expressing frustration that government responses have so far amounted to words rather than action.
Government independent adviser on antisemitism Lord John Mann provided broader context, warning that the country does not fully understand the cumulative nature of antisemitic hostility, citing examples ranging from abuse of Jewish children on buses and football pitches to university ostracism. He also highlighted deep-rooted historical causes, including the teaching in a majority of Hampshire primary schools for 100 years that 'the Jews killed Jesus.' Mann drew a distinction between legitimate free speech on Middle East issues and incitement to violence, singling out chants to 'globalize the intifada' as crossing the line into incitement.
A significant secondary controversy emerged around Green Party leader Zach Palansky, who reposted a social media comment characterizing police conduct during the arrest — which involved tasering and physical force — as violently kicking a mentally ill, incapacitated man. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley responded with an unusually direct public letter, stating that such commentary contributes to rising social tensions and undermines officer confidence. Rowley defended the officers, noting they faced a man they believed to be a terrorist who refused to release the knife even after being tasered, and who was wearing a rucksack and puffer jacket, raising fears of explosives. Members of Palansky's own Green Party, including the Welsh party leader and co-deputy leader, distanced themselves from the repost.
Key Insights
- The UK's independent reviewer of terrorism legislation stated that antisemitism is now the biggest national security threat since COVID, as the terrorism threat level was raised to severe — meaning an attack is considered highly likely within the next six months.
- Lord John Mann revealed that a majority of primary schools in Hampshire taught children every Easter for 100 years — through Church of England instruction — that 'the Jews killed Jesus,' arguing this kind of deep-rooted historical teaching has contributed to underlying antisemitism that has never been seriously challenged.
- Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley defended officers' use of extreme force during the arrest, explaining that even after being tasered the suspect would not release the knife, and officers feared he might be carrying explosive devices due to his rucksack and puffer jacket.
- Lord John Mann argued that calls to 'globalize the intifada' at demonstrations across UK towns and cities cross the line from legitimate free speech into incitement to violence against the Jewish community, and that the current balance between free speech and public safety is not working.
- Correspondent Lee Milner reported that the Golders Green Jewish community's mood has shifted from shock to anger, noting this was the third antisemitic incident in just two weeks in the area, including the firebombing of Jewish charity ambulances and destruction of a war memorial, and that residents are demanding action rather than words.
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