Jewish Student Describes Antisemitic Bullying and Attack in London

I was left in a place I had spent God knows how many summers with blood coming out of my mouth, purple bruised ribs, and a concussion for being born Jewish.

After Hamas launched its attack on October the 7th, a wave of antisemitism followed. That hostility quickly found its way into classrooms here in the UK. In London, one sixth form student says he found himself completely isolated after he reposted a statement condemning the attack online. For his safety, we're calling him Ben.

As I'd walk in school, I'd have kids spit at my feet.

I'd have people, like, slap food out of my hands, shout comments at me as I'd be, a- as I'd walk past them. I lost all my friends.

How did that affect you? I mean, I practically stopped eating. I was losing interest in my hobbies.

My health was declining. 'Cause what I was put through in that, in that year there at that college was nothing short of a nightmare.

Do you feel that everyone was so passionate about this particular cause, or was there social pressure?

Social pressure, hands down. It was a bandwagon to jump on.

This park used to be where Ben came to skate and escape, but shortly after leaving college he was attacked right here.

This man approached me and asked me if I was Jewish. I thought nothing of it.

I said, "Yeah, I'm Jewish," at which point he punched me clean across the side of my face.

I landed on the ground, my head smacked the concrete.

I remember he, he was, like, stood over me and kicking me in the ribs again and again and again. I was left in a place I had spent God knows how many summers with blood coming out of my mouth, purple bruised ribs, and a concussion for being born Jewish.