13 October 2023 , 06:29
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Four Jewish schools in the UK have closed over safety fears for pupils after the Hamas attack in Israel.
Community leaders fear Jewish children will be targeted following the surprise attack which has sparked a bloodbath in the Middle East. The four schools are all in London and have announced to parents they will be closed on Friday.
They are Torah Vodaas Primary School, in Edgware, and Ateres Beis Yaakov Primary School, in Colindale, and Menorah High School, in Dollis Hill. A fourth school, which has not been named, will also be closed, Sky News reports.
In a letter to parents, Rabbi Feldman, from Torah Vodaas, said while there was 'no specific threat to our school' it was 'not a decision that has been taken lightly'. The head teacher at Menorah High School said: "Please be aware that this difficult decision has been reached because of the risk of violence on the streets.
"The police are concerned that as the girls are not in school, they will venture outdoors and have asked us to advise you that it is incumbent on you as parents that your children remain indoors."
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Pupils at Jewish schools have been warned to remove their school blazers amid fears they could be attacked. The Jewish Free School (JFS), in Kenton, London, advised parents that all after-school detentions are cancelled and pupils will be allowed to remove their jackets with the school crest.
One dad told Sky News he had been advised by his children's school to alter their uniform. He said: "And in 2023 for my kids to go to school and it not be okay for them to wear uniform, a kippah, star of David on their blazers, to have to hide their identity in 2023, it's very scary. I am scared for myself and my family. It's a scary situation."
On Thursday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced £3million to protect Jewush schools, synagogues, and other Jewish community buildings. Jewish charity CST claimed it had seen a 324% increase in reports of antisemitism as a result over the last four days. This included six assaults, 14 direct threats, three instances of vandalism, and 66 cases of abusive behaviour.