British police have initiated a search for a Manchester United supporter who was seen wearing a jersey with “Hamas 7” on the back, as reported by The Telegraph.
The man, whose identity is unknown, was photographed near Oxford Circus tube station in central London on Friday afternoon.
Promoting support for a banned organization like Hamas, or showing reckless support for one, is a criminal offense under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act.
Nonetheless, decisions to arrest or charge individuals will be made on a case-by-case basis by the police.
The football fan was spotted by a Jewish passerby, who expressed feeling “very offended” by the man’s shirt.
He also speculated that the number 7 might reference the October 7 attacks by Hamas.
“I was walking to collect some shoes and saw this guy, I thought it was pretty unbelievable – no one was reacting or seemed to notice. I followed him for about two minutes and took photos, I think he was aware I was taking photos of him but didn’t seem to care,” the passerby recounted.
“Even if it was his surname, surely he would have been aware of the association. The shirt was a Manchester United shirt and looked to be newly printed,” he added, noting, “Wearing the name of a terrorist organization is really shocking. I was very offended, especially as the number 7 could have been in reference to the October 7 attacks.”
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson stated, according to The Telegraph, “On Friday 24 May, police received a call from a member of the public reporting that a man was walking in Oxford Street, W1 wearing a football shirt with an offensive message on it. Enquiries are underway to try and identify the man.”
Since the October 7 attack by Hamas, antisemitic incidents have been increasing in London, as they have globally.
Earlier this month, a woman carrying a large knife was detained in Stamford Hill, north London.
The woman allegedly told a Jewish man that he is a “provocation” and added, “You people, you Jewish…all the trouble you’re creating in the world.”
In April, a Jewish man in Stamford Hill was attacked by four men. The Stamford Hill Shomrim, a Jewish civilian watch group, reported that the four assailants approached the man, threatened him, and tried to force him into the trunk of their car.
The incident ended when the victim said he was calling the police and other cars approached.
Days earlier, two men were arrested at a pro-Palestinian Arab march in London.
One man was detained for carrying a placard with a swastika, and another for allegedly making racist remarks towards counter-protesters, according to the Metropolitan Police.
{Matzav.com}
I don’t like the number 7