Antisemitic slur on Tory’s car investigated as hate crime
The cars wing mirrors were also stolen
An antisemitic slur daubed on the car of a leading political figure is being treated as a hate crime by police.
A Mercedes belonging to Annabelle Sanderson was targeted in Bradford on Avon last week, following a pro-Palestine demonstration in the town.
The word ‘Jews’ was written and crossed out on the boot of her car. Wing mirrors were also stolen from the car, which was parked in Wine Street.
Wiltshire Police have told her the incident is being treated as a hate crime.
Ms Sanderson, who is the deputy chairman of Melksham and Devizes Conservative Association and Wiltshire representative on the Conservative Women’s Organisation, said she suspects Conservative Party literature visible in her car led to the attack.
Ms Sanderson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service she suspected the attack was linked to the weekly protests led by Bradford on Avon Friends of Palestine
“Bradford on Avon has been witnessing anti-Jewish protests regularly now every Thursday with people waving Palestine flags and calling for the boycott of Jewish goods,” she said.
“It is clearly motivating people to be bold in their Jew hatred.
“The organisers of the protests probably think they are being kind, but they may well be emboldening people with extreme views,” she added.
“I’m not Jewish, but it seems that anyone now linked with supporting Jews is a target. This does not surprise me as it has happened across history.”
Bradford on Avon Friends of Palestine, who organise the weekly protests in the town, have been approached for comment.