The Mancunian Way: 'Constantly aware of being visibly Jewish'
manchestereveningnews.co.ukIt has been a troubling few days for Manchester’s Jewish community. On Tuesday, two men appeared in court accused of plotting to carry out an Islamic State-inspired gun attack, with prosecutors alleging their intended target was 'the Jewish community in the North West of England'.
In response, Greater Manchester Police have promised to step up patrols in areas such as Sedgley Park, Broughton Park and Crumpsall - which together make up the UK's largest Jewish population outside London.
But Jewish people say there is a sense of fear and concern in the area. Speaking to Ste Topping, one man said he actively tries to make himself look as ‘non-Jewish as possible’ when he goes into Manchester city centre.
Another spoke of a man in a balaclava who came to his shop and shouted at him last week. "I know a lot of people take their yamakas [skull caps] off, try not to appear Jewish in public," he added. "It's a bit mad, it's also worrying.
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