Jewish schools in London to shut on Friday after ex-Hamas chief calls for day of protests

Two schools in north London made the call “in the interests of the safety of our precious children”

Two Jewish schools in London have decided to shut their doors on Friday amid calls for mass demonstrations in support of Palestinians.

Torah Vodaas Primary School in Edgware and Ateres Beis Yaakov Primary School in Colindale both informed parents on Thursday evening they would not reopen until Monday.

In a letter to parents, Rabbi Feldman, of Torah Vodaas, said while there was “no specific threat to our school” it was “not a decision that has been taken lightly”.

It comes as Jewish students were being warned by schools to disguise their uniform because of a fear of retaliatory attacks caused by the ongoing war in Israel.

Meanwhile three schools Amsterdam are also closing their doors over fears over their pupils’ safety.

In a joint statement, Rosh Pina, Maimonides and Cheider said the choice was made “with the safety of the children and staff as the highest priority, and with the intention not to take any risks”.

They want the Dutch government to provide more robust security, with armed surveillance from morning until afternoon, reports local outlet Het Parool.

The schools are worried about Friday because, on Tuesday, former Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal called for the Muslim world to show their solidarity with Palestinians.

In a recorded statement issued to Reuters, he said: “We must head to the squares and streets of the Arab and Islamic world on Friday.

“Tribes of Jordan, sons of Jordan, brothers and sisters of Jordan... This is a moment of truth and the borders are close to you, you all know your responsibility.

“To all scholars who teach jihad... to all who teach and learn, this is a moment for the application.”

Jordan and Lebanon are home to the largest number of Palestinian refugees.

Dutch Councilor Itay Garmy (Volt) said: “Hamas has called Friday the day of jihad, which is a broad concept that can also include violence and hatred. I see everywhere that people are very anxious about this.”

It comes as policing around London schools and synagogues has been ramped up, after it was reported that there have been 50 anti-Semitic incidents since Hamas attacked Israel at the weekend.

Graffiti depicting Adolf Hitler giving a Nazi salute and the word “Jews” was painted on a wall in the City of London and an orthodox man was punched on a bus before his religious hat was taken, according to Jewish charity Community Security Trust (CST).

In an open letter to London’s Jewish communities on Wednesday, Met Police Deputy Commissioner Dame Lynne Owens condemned Hamas’ attack on Israel, and acknowledged many Londoners “will be worried about their safety here”.

She wrote: “Nobody should be concerned about their child’s journey to school, their safety on a bus or a train, their visit to the shops, or to a place of worship.”

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