Jewish man stabbed in Golders Green attack says 'it's a very big miracle' he survived

A Jewish man stabbed in a suspected antisemitic attack in Golders Green has told the BBC "it's a very big miracle" he survived.

Speaking from hospital, Shloime Rand said: "I feel like God's given me back my life."

The BBC understands Essa Suleiman, 45, from south-east London is the man police have arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. He remains in custody.

Rand told the BBC he is thankful the injuries he suffered were not worse. "I would have been even happier if nothing would have happened, but you know, in this situation I'm very happy that I survived and I can talk."

"I've had a stab to my chest, and yes, my lungs have to recover. The oxygen was now reduced, and I hope I'll be better soon."

He hopes to be discharged from hospital "within the next few days".

Recounting Wednesday's attack, Rand said he was walking down the street when the attacker came towards him and "just stabbed me in the chest". "I managed to jump back, so thank God he didn't manage to take my life."

Police later Tasered and arrested a man, whom the BBC understands to be Essa Suleiman. He came to the UK from Somalia in the early 1990s.

The Metropolitan Police said he had a "history of serious violence and mental health issues", and he was referred into the government counter-terrorism Prevent programme in 2020. A spokesman said the referral was closed that same year.

Addressing the nation on Thursday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said his government was doing "everything in our power to stamp this hatred out" and would strengthen security.

Asked whether enough had been done to combat antisemitism, Rand told the BBC "definitely not" and that the statements from No 10 were "not enough".

He said: "It's terrible, and it can no longer be ignored by the government. You know, when it's come to a point that people's lives are in danger."

"I have friends and people telling me they're scared to walk in the street, and they look all around them, they don't know what's going on."

"People are now afraid and it's been taken to a new level."

Sir Ephraim Mirvis, the UK's chief rabbi, has called for "meaningful action" to tackle the causes of antisemitism, while representative body the Board of Deputies of British Jews said antisemitism must be "confronted, punished and deterred with the full force of the state".