Golders Green attack LIVE: Essa Suleiman 'tried to murder friend before stabbing two Jewish men'

We have concluded today’s live coverage of the aftermath of the Golders Green attack.

If you would like to read a full report on the court appearance of Essa Suleiman, who is accused of carrying out the stabbings, read here.

Sir Keir Starmer branded Green leader Zack Polanski “disgraceful” and “not fit to lead any political party” for reposting the criticism of the police officers involved in the Golders Green incident.

In an interview for BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, recorded before Mr Polanski’s apology, he said: “When I then see Zack Polanski come out and retweet or support a criticism of that, I think it’s disgraceful.”

Defending the actions of the police, he added: “You have to make a decision in that split moment according to the situation as you understand it to be.

“And for politicians to wade in, as Zack Polanski did, is disgraceful. He’s not fit to lead any political party. “

The Commons Home Affairs Committee will examine the threats which Jewish communities face later this month, its chairwoman has said.

At an evidence session on May 14, the committee will look at the adequacy of the authorities’ response to recent violence, along with wider drivers of antisemitism.

Conservative MP Dame Karen Bradley, the Home Affairs Committee chairwoman, said: “I am deeply concerned about the very real threats facing the Jewish community in Britain.

“This evidence session will explore the day-to-day reality of antisemitism and whether enough is being done to protect against its consequences.

“The session will also look at the wider societal context and ask if there are triggers for this sort of violent action that need to be addressed.”

A representative of the Community Security Trust (CST) is expected to attend the session, along with representatives from the Jewish Leadership Council (JLC) and Antisemitism Policy Trust.

Green Party leader Zack Polanski has apologised for “sharing a tweet in haste” which accused police officers of repeatedly kicking the Golders Green stabbing suspect in the head after he had been incapacitated.

Mr Polanski released a statement on Friday afternoon, which said: “Everyone in leadership has a responsibility for lowering the temperature at a time of such tension, and I apologise for sharing a tweet in haste.

“Police responses to emergency situations such as these do need later reflection in the right forums, but I accept that social media is not the appropriate channel for doing so.

“I have invited Mark Rowley to meet with me to discuss the police response and the wider issues raised in his letter.”

You can read the full story here.

Organisers of pro-Palestine protests have said that attempts to connect a series of antisemitic attacks with their events are false.

The Stop The War Coalition said it had held a number of marches and meetings in recent months which had passed peacefully.

A statement said: “The Stop the War Coalition has been proud to be part of organising these mass marches in support of the people of Gaza and against the genocide of the Israeli government.

“Indeed, we have campaigned for justice for Palestine since our founding 25 years ago, because we recognise that this question is inextricably linked to the wars throughout the Middle East which continue today in Iran and Lebanon.

“We condemn unequivocally these attacks, as we do all forms of antisemitism and racism.

“No one should be attacked for their race or religion.”

The group said it would continue to peacefully protest and will go ahead with its next event in London on May 16.

The director of public prosecutions has said the Crown Prosecution Service will use the “full force of the law” to prosecute hate crimes as he warned of a “deeply troubling rise in antisemitic incidents across the country”.

Stephen Parkinson said he recognised the “profound fear, distress and anger” that Jewish people were feeling following a spate of incidents in London in recent weeks, adding: “No-one should feel unsafe because of who they are or their faith.”

In a statement, he said: “Antisemitic hate crime is not only an attack on individuals — it is an attack on the values of respect, tolerance and the rule of law that underpin our society.

“Let me be clear: those who commit antisemitic crimes will be held accountable. The CPS will use the full force of the law to ensure those responsible are prosecuted robustly and swiftly, and justice is done.

“We are working closely with police partners to ensure that cases are built strongly from the outset and that perpetrators are brought before the courts swiftly. There is a strong public interest in taking a zero tolerance approach to these hate-infected crimes. Accordingly, where offences are proven to be motivated by hostility based on religion or ethnicity, we will make full use of the powers open to us to prosecute these as aggravated offences which attract longer sentences in court.

“We are engaging directly with Jewish communities to ensure their voices are heard and concerns addressed. To anyone who has experienced or witnessed antisemitic abuse or violence, I encourage you to report it to police. Your reports matter – they enable us to work with policing to take action and ensure that offenders face justice.”

The court also heard further details about the attacks in Golders Green, in which Shloime Rand, 34, and Moshe Shine, 76, were both stabbed.

Prosecutor Emma Harraway said that Mr Rand had been “studying in the synagogue” before he was allegedly stabbed in the chest by Suleiman.

Setting out the allegations, the prosecutor said: “Mr Rand stumbled backwards and ran in the direction of the synagogue, chased by the defendant.

“Mr Rand realised his chest was bleeding and there was blood on his shirt. He suffered a puncture lung.”

The court then heard that Suleiman is accused of stabbing Mr Shine a short time later on Golders Green Road.

Ms Harraway said: “Mr Shine was waiting at the bus stop, and he was also wearing traditional Jewish clothing including a kippah.

“As Mr Shine adjusted his kippah Suleiman ran towards him and set upon him, launching a series of aggressive blows.”

More details have emerged regarding an earlier attack by the suspect in the Golders Greens stabbings.

As Essa Suleiman appeared in court, it was revealed that he has also been accused of attempting to murder a man he had known for around 20 years.

Ishmail Hussein, who prosecutor Emma Harraway said has know Suleiman for some time, was attacked at his home in Southwark in the hours before the Golders Green attacks.

The court heard that Suleiman is said to have called Mr Hussein’s phone several times before he was buzzed into his home at around 7.50am.

It is then alleged Suleiman was armed with a knife and “tried to stab Mr Hussein” in his upper body, but his friend “fended off the attack”.

Suleiman is then accused of travelling to Brent Cross underground station before going on to Golders Green.

Essa Suleiman, the suspect in the Golders Green attacks, appeared in court this morning.

Suleiman, 45, has been charged with attempted murder after two Jewish men were stabbed in the attacks on Wednesday.

Shloime Rand, 34, and Moshe Shine, 76, both suffered serious injuries and were treated in hospital, with the Metropolitan Police declaring it a terrorist incident.

Suleiman has also been accused of attempting to murder Ishmail Hussein in an attack at Hussein's flat in Southwark, south London, earlier on Wednesday. It is reported that Hussein was somebody that Suleiman knew.

Suleiman appeared in the dock at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today wearing a police-issued grey sweatshirt and trousers.

He appeared to have a bruising around his eyes, and stood to confirm his name and date of birth.

He has been remanded in custody, and his case has been sent to the Old Bailey where he will next appear on May 15 for a preliminary hearing.

Essa Suleiman, 45, has been remanded in custody after appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court charged with attempted murder over the stabbings of two Jewish men in Golders Green, north London.