ANTI-SEMITIC material has been hand delivered to a Jewish trader in Rayners Lane who says he now fears for his safety.
The business owner, who has asked to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals, was one of just two shop owners to receive the Israel bashing flyer, which is now being investigated by police.
It was delivered to the 63-year-old at his shop in Alexandra Avenue and also to the store next door but he said he is concerned those behind the hate crime have picked him out because he has what 'some would consider a typically Jewish surname'.
The double-sided A4 leaflet is headed by claims that the 9/11 attacks in America were carried out by Israel before continuing: “The same forces behind Israel are the same forces that created 7/7, WW1, WW2, the Russian Revolution, the French Revolution, every conceivable act of terrorism and financial downfall in history – including this recession.”
It then gives links to a series of YouTube videos and literature to support the wild claims.
The shop owner was shocked to receive the flyer and thinks it has been issued purely to cause him upset.
He said: “I have been trading here for more than 20 years and I have never had any problems like this before but I believe whoever is behind it has targeted me personally. I think everybody goes through life with a small amount of prejudice irrespective of their background but it is the first time I have seen anything like this.
“I don't think they believe these claims or even expect the reader to believe them. For a start it claims Israel, which wasn't founded until 1948, was responsible for wars and revolutions from before it even existed.
“I think it's intended to give the message 'we know who you are, we mean you harm and we're watching' – it's intended to cause upset. Harrow is a very diverse place where, in my experience, most people get along very well with each other, unfortunately there are a few who are ignorant.
“I deal everyday with people from all over the world, I have never discriminated against customers or potential employees and in fact I had a Muslim employee who refers to me as her substitute dad.”
Between January 2010 and January 2011 Harrow police recorded 257 racist and religious hate crimes, while The Community Security Trust, which provides protection in Jewish areas, recorded 219 anti-Semitic incidents in the whole of London for 2010 in a report released last week
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