A man who hurled anti-Semitic abuse at Jewish travelers on a packed London bus has been jailed, the Jewish Chronicle reports.
Ian Campbell, 42, was handed a 16-week prison sentence for a racially aggravated public order offence.
The abuse was reported in September by journalist Rosa Doherty, who saw Campbell threaten to “burn the bus” and “the Jews” on a packed 102 bus travelling through Golders Green.
Jewish schoolchildren were on board at the time, noted the Jewish Chronicle.
The police were called but said they were unable to attend unless the driver stopped, which he refused to do.
Police were able to identify Campbell using CCTV footage. A local police officer also recognized him. Campbell pleaded guilty to the offence on October 9.
He also received a four-week sentence for a separate theft offence, according to the Jewish Chronicle.
Judge Mark Jabbit said Campbell used “grossly and offensive threatening language” and his crime was “in no doubt serious”.
Anti-Semitism has been on a steep rise in the UK, with thousands taking part in anti-Israel protests during Operation Protective Edge. Those demonstrations have included pro-Palestinian rioters vandalizing a Birmingham Tesco store out of rage over a refusal to boycott Israeli products.
In a similar incident, hundreds of demonstrators rioted outside the Kedem store in Manchester, in a series of clashes which culminated in dozens of death threats being hurled at the store’s owners.
Recent statistics show that hate crimes against Jews have risen 383% worldwide since 2013, including a 436% hate crime hike in Europe.