Golders Green veteran Monty Goldstein, 102, speaks on rising antisemitism

A 102-year-old Jewish veteran who served in the Royal Artillery during the Second World War has described his sadness at rising antisemitism in Golders Green. Monty Goldstein, who now lives in Chadwell Heath, said some residents in the north London neighbourhood are afraid to walk the streets. He questioned why Jewish people face hostility despite his lifetime of service to Britain.

Goldstein was born on Commercial Road in east London in July 1924. He was conscripted into the Army in 1943 at the age of 18 and served in an anti-aircraft and searchlight regiment defending London against German bombing raids. After the war, he joined the Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women (Ajex) and has attended remembrance events every year since 1945.

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Recent attacks raise fears

Goldstein’s comments come after two Jewish men were stabbed in Golders Green in April 2026. In May 2026, an arson attack occurred at a former synagogue in Whitechapel. The Metropolitan Police confirmed both incidents were being treated as hate crimes, as reported by *The Standard*.

Goldstein said he feels Britain has changed since his youth. He recalled antisemitism during the 1930s, when Sir Oswald Mosley’s British Union of Fascists was active in east London. He said the current situation feels similar, despite Jewish people having done nothing to provoke it.

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“What have I done to deserve it? What happens abroad is not my fault, and I can’t help. But there’s loads of antisemitism, especially in the Golders Green area, some people are afraid to walk in the streets.”

Monty Goldstein, 102-year-old veteran

Calls for education and pride

Goldstein said he has always tried to be a good citizen, paying taxes and avoiding trouble. He expressed frustration that Jewish people are still treated as outsiders. He believes schools should teach children more about antisemitism to counter hostility.

He urged Britons to remain proud of their country. He said some people now feel afraid to identify as English, which he described as wrong. He added that some Jewish residents are considering leaving Britain, though he did not comment on whether that was the right decision.

Goldstein celebrated his 102nd birthday earlier this week. He was joined by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren for a tea party. He said reaching such an age feels like a bonus, particularly for those who served in the war and are now in their 90s.

What happens next

Barnet Council has not yet responded to Goldstein’s comments. The Metropolitan Police said it continues to investigate antisemitic hate crimes in the borough. Community groups, including the Board of Deputies of British Jews, have called for increased security measures in Jewish neighbourhoods.

Goldstein said he will continue to attend remembrance events and hopes his message will encourage others to stand against antisemitism. He did not indicate any plans to leave Britain.