CCTV appeal following racist abuse on train between Bradford and Leeds

The British Transport Police (BTP) have released CCTV images of a man they wish to speak with following the racist abuse of a passenger in the West Yorkshire area.

A man boarded a train between Bradford and Leeds on October 30 at 9:30 am and made racist comments towards another passenger.

Upon challenge from the female conductor, who intervened, the man subjected her to a sexually explicit comment.

If members of the public recognise him or have any information, they can contact the BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 243 of October 30.

In partnership with the BTP, we created tailored safety tips for Muslims and communities travelling on the rail networks – free to download in a high-resolution PDF from the Resources section of our website. We urge communities to keep these tips in mind when navigating the rail networks.

Tell MAMA can pass information to the BTP on your behalf or anonymously by contacting us online or via our WhatsApp messaging service on 0734 184 6086.

 

The post CCTV appeal following racist abuse on train between Bradford and Leeds appeared first on TELL MAMA.

Categories: Bradford, BTP, hate crime, Leeds, News

Teenager killed after twin blasts strike near bus stops in Jerusalem

A teenager has died and at least 18 others have been hurt after two explosions near bus stops in Jerusalem, in what police said were suspected attacks by Palestinians.

The first blast occurred near a bus stop on the edge of the city, where many commuters gather during rush hour. The second detonation took place in Ramot, a neighbourhood in the city’s north.

The victim was identified as 15-year-old Aryeh Shechopek, who was heading to a Jewish seminary when the blast went off, according to a notice announcing his death.

The apparent attacks came as Israeli-Palestinian tensions are high, following months of Israeli raids in the occupied West Bank prompted by a spate of deadly attacks against Israelis that killed 19 people. There has been a surge in Palestinian attacks in recent weeks.

The violence also comes as former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds coalition talks after national elections and is likely to form what is expected to be Israel’s most right-wing government.

Police said their initial findings showed that explosive devices were placed at the two sites. The twin blasts occurred amid the buzz of rush hour traffic and police closed part of a main highway leading out of the city, where the first explosion went off.

Video from shortly after the first blast showed debris strewn along the pavement as the wail of ambulances blared.

Yosef Haim Gabay, a medic who was at the scene when the first blast occurred, told Israeli Army Radio:

“It was a crazy explosion. There is damage everywhere here.

“I saw people with wounds bleeding all over the place.”

While Palestinians have carried out stabbings, car rammings and shootings in recent years, bombings have become very rare since the end of a Palestinian uprising nearly two decades ago.

The Islamic militant Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip and once carried out suicide bombings against Israelis, praised the perpetrators of the attacks, calling it a heroic operation, but stopped short of claiming responsibility.

Hamas spokesman Abd al-Latif al-Qanua said: “The occupation is reaping the price of its crimes and aggression against our people.”

Itamar Ben-Gvir, an extremist legislator who has called for the death penalty for Palestinian attackers and who is set to become the minister in charge of police under Mr Netanyahu, said the attack gave him the impetus to take a tougher stance on Palestinian attackers.

“It’s time to take a hard line against terrorists, it’s time to make order,” he tweeted.

More than 130 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli-Palestinian fighting in the West Bank and east Jerusalem this year, making 2022 the deadliest year since 2006. The Israeli army said most of the Palestinians killed have been militants.

However, stone-throwing youths protesting against the incursions and others not involved in confrontations have also been killed.

At least five more Israelis have been killed in Palestinian attacks in recent weeks.

The post Teenager killed after twin blasts strike near bus stops in Jerusalem appeared first on Faith Matters.

Categories: Attack, Blast, Israeli, Jerusalem, Jewish teenager, Palestinian, Palestinian militants, tension

Racist who urged staff to sack or murder Sajid Javid jailed

A racist who bombarded the Treasury with twenty-two emails (that included political and racist views), including the forced removal and murder of the former home secretary Sajid Javid, was jailed last week.

Kestutis Cesna, 46, from Nottingham, urged staff to remove or kill Javid in an email dated May 19, 2018, which read, “You need to sack Javid. Kill him if he resists.”

Following a police investigation, Cesna appeared for summons and denied any wrongdoing but faced charges related to sending an article of an offensive and indecent nature and sending a message conveying threats.

He was, however, found guilty at Nottingham Crown Court on November 11.

Kestutis Cesna, of Denison Street, Radford, received a three-month prison sentence.

Following the sentencing, Chief Inspector Amy English of Nottinghamshire Police said: “I am pleased that Cesna has been held accountable for this actions and hope that this verdict serves as a warning to others who think they can behave in this way without consequence.

“We will continue to take a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of hate crime and take robust action against anyone who engages in such abhorrent behaviour.”

The post Racist who urged staff to sack or murder Sajid Javid jailed appeared first on TELL MAMA.

Categories: News, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire police, Sajid Javid

Twitter banned racist account who praised the Dover terrorist Andrew Leak

Twitter suspended a racist account holder who praised the Dover terrorist Andrew Leak after Tell MAMA flagged the materials with them.

Our investigation began after a member of the public got in touch, flagging tweets from the account made on November 8, one of which called for Leak to receive a state funeral and a Victoria Cross medal.

A screenshot we captured before Twitter suspended the account holder following our complaint.

A further investigation revealed racist comments about deputy prime minister Dominic Raab being a “Jewish puppet of the WEF and UN”.

The racist currency of @BryanMc82451905 would see them trade in racialised, dehumanising comments about Muslims and refugees. Examples included myths of demographic change and so-called “Islamification” whilst linking both groups to criminality.

Examples of anti-Black racism appeared in archives, with some targeting the late Stephen Lawrence, murdered by racists in 1993. That inflammatory, hateful tweet read, “Blacks want to tear down Lord Nelson from his Column. No doubt they will replace him with St Stephen”.

Our investigation coincided with a report in The Independent that far-right individuals or groups are calling for attacks on refugee centres and hotels. On Telegram, the article described those who described the terrorist Leak as a “hero” and a “legend” who “shows that one of us [white people] has got a spine”.

In recent years, our research has detailed how a subsection of social media accounts reported to us praised or encouraged similar attacks following the far-right terror attacks in Finsbury Park and Christchurch, New Zealand. Examples of the latter resulted in criminal convictions for terrorism offences, as the murder of 51 Muslims continues to influence those convicted of far-right terror offences in the UK.

YouTube, however, did not remove comments that denied the terrorism or comments claiming it was a “false flag”.

Several high-profile far-right Telegram pages pushed similar “false flag” conspiracies, including the street defence movement Britain First, which wrote, “How on earth did the media manage to get such a perfectly timed photo of the attack on the Dover migrant processing centre?” on the evening of October 30.

As our briefing paper on Andrew Leak revealed, he was in the thrall of various conspiracy theories, notably around Covid.

Tell MAMA remains a trusted flagger across all major social media platforms and encourages the public to flag such material with us so we can escalate with the platforms or the police. Despite our reservations about Twitter’s direction, we will continue advocating for communities.

Following our investigation, we flagged the @BryanMc82451905 account with the police to investigate further.

Get advice from our confidential and free helpline on 0800 456 1226. Or through our free iOS or Android apps. Report through our online form. Alternatively, please leave us a WhatsApp message at 0734 184 6086.

The post Twitter banned racist account who praised the Dover terrorist Andrew Leak appeared first on TELL MAMA.

Categories: Andrew Leak, Dover, Far Right groups, News, refugees, terrorism

Rachel Riley Awarded £50,000 in Libel Damages

Rachel Riley has been awarded £50,000 in damages after winning a libel claim against a political blogger over an article claiming she was a “serial abuser”.

Ms Riley, who appears on the Channel 4 show Countdown, sued Mike Sivier after he published an article on his website Vox Political in January 2019 with the headline “Serial abuser Rachel Riley to receive ‘extra protection’ – on grounds that she is receiving abuse”.

The article discussed tweets posted as part of an online debate on antisemitism in the Labour Party, some of which were exchanged between Ms Riley and a user who identified herself then as a 16-year-old called Rose in December 2018 and January 2019.

A judge previously found that Mr Sivier’s article would be read as claiming Ms Riley “engaged upon, supported and encouraged a campaign of online abuse and harassment of a 16-year-old girl”, allegations denied by Ms Riley.

Mr Sivier defended the libel claim by arguing he had a “reasonable belief” it was in the public interest to publish the claims in the article.

However, in a judgment on Wednesday, Mrs Justice Steyn ruled in favour of Ms Riley, granting her the five-figure sum in damages as well as an injunction requiring Mr Sivier to remove the article and not repeat it.

The post Rachel Riley Awarded £50,000 in Libel Damages appeared first on Faith Matters.

Categories: libel, Libel Claim, Mike Sivier, Rachel Riley, Vox Political

Racist yelled abuse into Muslim woman’s ear on busy Central line train

A man sat next to a Muslim woman on a busy Underground train and shouted racist abuse into her ear before she could safely leave the train and contact the police.

Recalling what happened on the morning of October 28, the woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, described how the racist male began by uttering racist statements under his breath. She described hearing them say, “You’re scum, coming here and taking our jobs”.

The racist abuse heightened as when passing through a louder area of the track, he leaned towards her ear and shouted, “Scum foreigners, go back to your own country, go back to where you come from. You stink. Curry munchers”.

She described feeling targeted due to her ethnicity and hijab, adding that a woman opposite her made eye contact with her, signalling to leave, which she did.

After leaving the seat for safety, she noticed a white woman take her seat with her child, adding that the racist male became friendly with them.

Having boarded the train at Stratford station, she exited it after several stops and, upon alerting a member of Transport for London (TfL) staff, described how she felt “brushed off” by them and told to contact the police online.

With their informed consent, Tell MAMA’s Casework Team contacted the British Transport Police (BTP) on their behalf to make a report.

Academics have explored the impacts of how Muslims experience Othering (due to ethnicity, gender, class and sexuality) in different urban settings (including public transport). For example, the racialised harassment towards some Muslim women interviewed was partly due to their religious clothing (visual Othering). Other academics situate such experiences through the competing lenses of structural and interpersonal forms of gendered Islamophobia and anti-Muslim abuse. In a UK context, academics looked at the “geographical spaces of Islamophobia is presented, while highlighting the ways in which anti-Muslim discrimination is gendered, racialized, classed and aged.”

Tell MAMA, in partnership with the BTP, provides the public with tailored safety advice for the rail networks, including the London Underground, which is free to download from our website.

Get advice from our confidential and free helpline on 0800 456 1226. Or through our free iOS or Android apps. Report through our online form. Alternatively, please leave us a WhatsApp message at 0734 184 6086.

 

 

The post Racist yelled abuse into Muslim woman’s ear on busy Central line train appeared first on TELL MAMA.

Categories: British Transport Police, hate crime, Islamophobiba, News, TFL

UN: Taliban has plunged Afghanistan into ‘dire’ conditions

The UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution accusing the Taliban of violating the human rights of Afghan women and girls, failing to establish a representative government and plunging the country into “dire economic, humanitarian and social conditions”.

The resolution also pointed to persistent violence in the country since the Taliban takeover 15 months ago and the presence of terrorist groups such as al-Qaida and the so-called Islamic State and their affiliates as well as the presence of “foreign terrorist fighters”.

Germany’s UN ambassador, Antje Leendertse, had hoped the 193-member General Assembly would approve the German-facilitated resolution by consensus.

But a vote was requested and it was adopted 116-0, with 10 countries abstaining — Russia, China, Belarus, Burundi, North Korea, Ethiopia, Guinea, Nicaragua, Pakistan and Zimbabwe. Some 67 countries did not vote.

General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, unlike Security Council resolutions, but they do reflect world opinion.

The adoption came the same day the Taliban, which already banned girls from secondary school, stopped women from using gyms and parks.

Before the vote, Ms Leendertse told the assembly that since the Taliban came to power in August 2021 Afghanistan has seen “a massive economic contraction and humanitarian crisis” which has left half the population facing “critical levels of food insecurity”.

“We expect a harsh winter and levels of needs that we have not seen in the last decades with little prospect for economic recovery and reduction of poverty,” she said.

Introducing the resolution, Ms Leendertse told the assembly the Taliban control the country but are not living up to their responsibility toward meeting the needs of the Afghan people.

“The resolution is a clear call to respect, protect and fulfil human rights, develop inclusive governance and fight terrorism,” she said.

“It contains a clear message that without that, there cannot be business as usual and no pathway toward recognition.”

The resolution pledges continued UN support for the Afghan people “in order to rebuild a stable, secure and economically self-sufficient state, free of terrorism, narcotics, transnational organised crime, including trafficking in persons, and corruption, and to strengthen the foundations of a constitutional democracy as a responsible member of the international community”.

It calls for improved access for aid workers and recognises the need to help address Afghanistan’s economic challenges, including efforts to restore the banking and financial systems and enabling Central Bank assets – held mainly in the US – to be used to help the Afghan people.

The resolution expresses deep concern at human rights abuses against women and girls, including sexual violence, and calls on the Taliban to promote “full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women in all aspects of Afghan society”.

It condemns all attacks, reprisals and violence against journalists and media workers and calls for their perpetrators to be brought to justice.

The resolution reaffirms the assembly’s expectation that the Taliban will live up to its commitments to allow the safe departure of all Afghans and foreign nationals that want to leave the country.

The post UN: Taliban has plunged Afghanistan into ‘dire’ conditions appeared first on Faith Matters.

Categories: Afghan, girls, human rights, Taliban

UN: Taliban has plunged Afghanistan into ‘dire’ conditions

The UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution accusing the Taliban of violating the human rights of Afghan women and girls, failing to establish a representative government and plunging the country into “dire economic, humanitarian and social conditions”.

The resolution also pointed to persistent violence in the country since the Taliban takeover 15 months ago and the presence of terrorist groups such as al-Qaida and the so-called Islamic State and their affiliates as well as the presence of “foreign terrorist fighters”.

Germany’s UN ambassador, Antje Leendertse, had hoped the 193-member General Assembly would approve the German-facilitated resolution by consensus.

But a vote was requested and it was adopted 116-0, with 10 countries abstaining — Russia, China, Belarus, Burundi, North Korea, Ethiopia, Guinea, Nicaragua, Pakistan and Zimbabwe. Some 67 countries did not vote.

General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, unlike Security Council resolutions, but they do reflect world opinion.

The adoption came the same day the Taliban, which already banned girls from secondary school, stopped women from using gyms and parks.

Before the vote, Ms Leendertse told the assembly that since the Taliban came to power in August 2021 Afghanistan has seen “a massive economic contraction and humanitarian crisis” which has left half the population facing “critical levels of food insecurity”.

“We expect a harsh winter and levels of needs that we have not seen in the last decades with little prospect for economic recovery and reduction of poverty,” she said.

Introducing the resolution, Ms Leendertse told the assembly the Taliban control the country but are not living up to their responsibility toward meeting the needs of the Afghan people.

“The resolution is a clear call to respect, protect and fulfil human rights, develop inclusive governance and fight terrorism,” she said.

“It contains a clear message that without that, there cannot be business as usual and no pathway toward recognition.”

The resolution pledges continued UN support for the Afghan people “in order to rebuild a stable, secure and economically self-sufficient state, free of terrorism, narcotics, transnational organised crime, including trafficking in persons, and corruption, and to strengthen the foundations of a constitutional democracy as a responsible member of the international community”.

It calls for improved access for aid workers and recognises the need to help address Afghanistan’s economic challenges, including efforts to restore the banking and financial systems and enabling Central Bank assets – held mainly in the US – to be used to help the Afghan people.

The resolution expresses deep concern at human rights abuses against women and girls, including sexual violence, and calls on the Taliban to promote “full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women in all aspects of Afghan society”.

It condemns all attacks, reprisals and violence against journalists and media workers and calls for their perpetrators to be brought to justice.

The resolution reaffirms the assembly’s expectation that the Taliban will live up to its commitments to allow the safe departure of all Afghans and foreign nationals that want to leave the country.

The post UN: Taliban has plunged Afghanistan into ‘dire’ conditions appeared first on Faith Matters.

Categories: Afghan, girls, human rights, Taliban

Police officer killed in suspected terror attack in Brussels

A police officer has died and another was injured following a stabbing attack in Brussels, which a Belgian judicial official said was suspected to be terrorism-linked.

The suspected attacker was shot and “neutralised” after the stabbing and taken to hospital, Belgian police said.

“One of our patrols was attacked by a man armed with a knife,” police said.

“The two police officers then called for reinforcements. An officer from another patrol used his firearm to neutralise the attacker.”

Police added: “The two injured detectives and the assailant were taken to hospital.”

A judicial official who could not be quoted by name because the investigation is ongoing told The Associated Press there is “a suspicion of a terror attack”.

The official did not elaborate.

According to Belgian media, the attacker shouted “Allahu akbar”, the Arabic phrase for “God is great”.

Le Soir newspaper said the dead police officer was stabbed in the neck and died in hospital.

Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo posted a message of condolence to the family and friends of the dead officer.

“Our police officers risk their lives every day to ensure the safety of our citizens,” he said.

“Today’s tragedy demonstrates this once again.”

Interior minister Annelies Verlinden said she was in contact with the Brussels mayor, police chief and security services to co-ordinate the response to the attack.

“Such violence against our people is unacceptable,” she said.

The attack took place at about 7.15pm local time.

The post Police officer killed in suspected terror attack in Brussels appeared first on Faith Matters.

Categories: Allahu Akbar, Belgian, Islamist attack, Police Officer, Terror Attack

Man who attacked Jews, including boy, 14, had prayer to protect against ‘enemy’

A man has been found guilty of carrying out antisemitic attacks on three Jews after travelling to north London from West Yorkshire.

Abdullah Qureshi’s targets included a 14-year-old boy on his way to school and a 64-year-old man, who was knocked out as he made his way to the synagogue.

The 30-year-old also hit a teacher in the head with a plastic bottle as he carried out the attacks over a two-hour period last August 18 in the Stamford Hill area, which is known for its orthodox Jewish population.

Qureshi claimed “it was just a coincidence” his three victims were all wearing traditional orthodox Jewish clothing and said he lashed out after becoming “angrier and angrier” following a row in a shop.

But prosecutor Varinder Hayre suggested to Qureshi he travelled from his home in Dewsbury to target Jews because “you hate them”.

Following a trial at Stratford Magistrates’ Court in east London, District Judge John Law on Thursday found Qureshi guilty of inflicting religiously aggravated grievous bodily harm and two counts of religiously aggravated assault by beating.

“The three complainants not only were orthodox Jews but were clearly identifiable as such,” said the judge.

“I am drawn to the inescapable conclusion that their selection by this defendant was not a coincidence.”

Mr Law committed the case to Snaresbrook Crown Court for sentencing on December 8, granting Qureshi bail on the condition he does not enter the London borough of Hackney.

Qureshi had previously pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm on Jacob Lipschitz and assaulting Chaine Greenfeld, without the religiously aggravated element, in pleas initially accepted by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

But prosecutors were allowed to reinstate the charges, including the religiously aggravated element, along with a further charge against then then 14-year-old boy, following complaints from campaigners.

Metropolitan Police Detective Chief Inspector Yasmin Lalani said: “We will not tolerate hate crime of any form in London.

“The Met has a zero-tolerance policy for hate crime.

“We want to build safe and strong communities where people say no to hate crime.”

Qureshi, playing Arabic music on his mobile phone, hit Mr Greenfeld in the head with a bottle as he stood in the street at around 6.40pm, the court was told.

“I felt shocked,” Mr Greenfield said while giving evidence from behind a screen.

“When I came home, I was quite traumatised and it traumatised my kids that their father was slapped like that in the road.”

Asked why he thought he was attacked, Mr Greenfeld said: “He wanted to attack me about I’m another religion – that I’m Jewish.

“It shouldn’t be happening another time to our community, to our religion, and it should be everything peaceful as I thought as a young child that London is a peaceful and safe place and as I said, it’s not really.”

Qureshi slapped the 14-year-old, who cannot be identified because of his age, as he walked to an orthodox Jewish school at about 7.45pm.

“The man said nothing to me and just slapped me and walked away,” the teenager said in a statement read in court.

“That’s not good for me or anyone who is Jewish or anyone else. That must not happen to anyone.”

The prosecutor said Mr Lipschitz, then 64, was walking to the synagogue at about 8.30pm when he was punched on the ear with “tremendous power”, causing him to hit his head on the wall of a building with “such force” it left him unconscious.

He was left with broken glasses, facial bruising, a sprained ankle and four breaks in his foot, which twisted as he collapsed.

Mr Lipschitz said he was “traumatised” by the attack and left with post-traumatic stress disorder.

“I used to be walking the street tall and strong and confident and now I’m just a cowardly wreck. Any noise, I jump,” he said.

Asked why he believes he was targeted, Mr Lipschitz told the judge: “I imagine he didn’t like me, I will be honest with you, sir, because I’m Jewish.”

Qureshi was arrested after his father recognised him in a police appeal.

Officers found a message on his mobile called: “Dua for protection from your enemy.”

A dua is a type of Islamic prayer.

“Oh Allah, we ask You to restrain them by their necks and we seek refuge in You from their evil,” it read.

Ms Hayre suggested Qureshi considers Jewish people to be “evil” and his “enemy”.

“You don’t like Jewish people,” she said.

“When you attacked those people they were in vulnerable positions, by themselves. They were standing, facing you in Jewish clothing while they were on their own.”

But Qureshi said he has “nothing against Jewish people” and insisted: “It was just a coincidence.

“It was nothing to do with what clothing people were wearing. I was just angry.”

He claimed he grew “angrier and angrier” after an argument in a shop, adding: “I just lashed out because I was angry, wound up.”

Qureshi told the court he was in London to visit relatives and was staying overnight in the area because he found a cheap room at a hostel there.

He said he was “shopping for food” and sightseeing, “visiting the cemetery” and monuments on the day of the attacks.

“I didn’t mean any harm,” he said.

“I would like to apologise for any harm caused and the distress caused to Mr Greenfeld and Mr Lipschitz.”

The post Man who attacked Jews, including boy, 14, had prayer to protect against ‘enemy’ appeared first on Faith Matters.

Categories: Abdullah Qureshi, Antisemitism, Dewsbury, Jews, Orthodox Jewish population, Stamford Hill