A London Underground driver has been suspended after saying Jews are unsafe on the Bakerloo Line while he is driving.
Attending a protest, the Transport for London (TfL) employee is asked: ‘Is it safe for Jews to ride the Bakerloo line?’
Shouting over the sound of drums and crowd chants, he callously responds: ‘Not when I’m driving.’
The Tube worker could be seen at the demonstration brandishing a green banner with a red border and gold letters reading: ‘National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers – Bakerloo Branch.’
It adds, ‘To work for the capitalist socialistic order’, and includes a drawing of a fist grabbing a bolt of lightning, as well as another of a Tube train.
The unknown London Underground employee, who is wearing glasses, then looks into the camera and delivers an unequivocal message to the Jewish community.
‘Stay well clear,’ he says. ‘But you’re good to go today [when he is not driving the trains].’
Hundreds of people could be seen at the protest marching through the streets, with many carrying large banners and repeating chants as a group.
TfL confirmed it had seen the video and had suspended the driver who made the antisemitic remarks.
The body’s Chief Operating Officer Claire Mann said: ‘Everyone has the right to travel around London without facing discrimination, and we stand united against hate in all its forms. Any acts of antisemitism will not be tolerated and will be treated with the utmost seriousness.
‘Since this incident was brought to our attention, a driver has been identified and suspended whilst we fully investigate, in line with our policies and procedures.’
A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: ‘This is revolting and plainly runs counter to the most basic expectations of public transport.
‘Already over two thirds of British Jews do not feel comfortable disclosing their identity on public transport.
‘We are grateful that TfL has identified and suspended this individual and expect that, if the footage is borne out, in due course he will be fired.’
An RMT spokesperson said: ‘Our union has a proud history of over 100 years of militantly fighting antisemitism and fascism in Britain and abroad. We condemn all forms of discrimination and do not accept that behaviour within our organisation.
‘We do not comment on individual cases under investigation as that would not be appropriate.’
The alarming clip comes as incidents of antisemitism appear to be on the rise in the capital.
Ashab Al-Yamin – the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right – claimed responsibility for launching a ‘firebomb’ through the window of Kenton United Synagogue, near Harrow, over the weekend.
The pro-Iran group released video footage of the attack showing a man walking up to the building with what appears to be petrol bomb and flinging it at the site.
Sir Keir Starmer described the attack as ‘abhorrent’, saying: ‘I am appalled by recent attempted antisemitic arson attacks in north London. This is abhorrent and it will not be tolerated.
‘Attacks on our Jewish community are attacks on Britain. We are increasing visible policing and those responsible will be found and brought to justice. We will not rest in the pursuit of perpetrators.’
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis described the incident as a ‘cowardly arson attack’, adding that ‘a sustained campaign of violence and intimidation’ against British Jews ‘is gathering momentum’.
He said: ‘This sustained attack on our community’s ability to worship and live in safety is an attack on the values that bind us all together.’
He added that ‘we cannot, and must not, wait for that to change before we understand just how dangerous this moment is for all of our society’.
It comes after a woman and a man were last week arrested in connection with an ‘antisemitic’ attempted arson attack at a north London synagogue.
Balaclava-clad bandits were seen using suspected petrol bombs in their attempted assault on Finchley Reform Synagogue in Fallow Court Avenue, North Finchley, on CCTV.
The incident is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime and comes weeks after four Hatzola ambulances were firebombed outside a different synagogue in nearby Golders Green on March 23.
A woman, 47, and a 46-year-old man were arrested in the Watford area on suspicion of arson endangering life.
CCTV showed two suspects dressed in dark clothing and balaclavas entering the synagogue’s grounds at 12.09am on Wednesday, police said.
They then put two glass bottles next to the synagogue’s windows and threw a brick at the building. One of the bottles, which contained a substance suspected to be petrol, was smashed by the brick.
Neither of the bottles were ignited and there were no injuries reported. The building was left undamaged and the suspects fled the scene.
How should public transport deal with staff who express hateful views?
The attack was reported to the police at about 8.30am on Wednesday by a member of synagogue staff.
Sarah Sackman, MP for Finchley and Golders Green, branded the attack ‘shocking’ – adding the Jewish community should be ‘free to go about their lives without fear’.
‘I became aware of an attempted arson attack at Finchley Reform Synagogue overnight. Thankfully, no one has been hurt. I have been at the synagogue, supporting local residents and community leaders,’ she said.
‘This shocking attempt to harm a local synagogue follows a series of alarming attacks on the Jewish community in Finchley and Golders Green.
‘As your local MP, and as a member of the community, I refuse to allow this to become the ‘new normal’. British Jews must be free to go about their lives without fear – whether taking their children to nursery or attending synagogue. We do not want to live behind ever higher walls.’
She added: ‘I thank the CST and Metropolitan Police for their quick and effective response. I will continue to raise the issues of antisemitism and security at the highest levels in Government to protect our community.’
The London Underground driver seen in the protest video was suspended just days before Tube drivers are expected to walk out on two 24-hour strikes.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) confirmed its members will walk out from midday for 24 hours on Tuesday April 21 and Thursday April 23.
Their members have accused Transport for London (TfL) of imposing a new, compressed four-day working week – which the union claims could increase fatigue and compromise safety.
TfL has rejected these claims adding that the amended working week – which will see a five-day working week compressed into four – was a voluntary change.
The strikes will affect the entire tube network with no services on the Piccadilly and Circles lines and limited services on other lines.
The Elizabeth Line, DLR, London Overground and trams will be operating as normal but are expected to be extremely busy and passengers have been urged to check before they travel.
Some bus routes in the capital operated by Stagecoach will be affected by a separate 24-hour strike from 5am on Friday April 24.
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said: ‘We have approached negotiations with TfL in good faith throughout this entire process, but despite our best efforts, TfL seem unwilling to make any concessions in a bid to avert strike action.
‘This is extremely disappointing and has baffled our negotiators.
‘The approach of TfL is not one which leads to industrial peace and will infuriate our members who want to see a negotiated settlement to this avoidable dispute.’
