The London police have launched an investigation after the statue of iconic British singer Amy Winehouse was defaced over the weekend with a pro-Palestine sticker covering her Star of David pendant.
The beloved landmark, unveiled in 2014 to honor Winehouse’s legacy and her ties to Camden, was reportedly defaced during Saturday’s massive pro-Arab rally, which saw thousands march through the streets of London.
A spokesperson for the Campaign Against Antisemitism criticized the act as a cowardly attempt to erase visible signs of Jewish identity, noting the broader context of increasing reluctance among British Jews to display symbols of their faith due to fear of anti-semitism.
“So much for the ‘this is just criticism of Israel’ excuse we hear so often from antisemites who are too cowardly or ignorant to admit what they are,” the spokesperson said. “Right now, 69% of British Jews say that they are less likely to show visible signs of their Judaism. When even a statue of a Jewish person can’t get away with it, is that any surprise?”
Scotland Yard has acknowledged the community’s concern and distress caused by the incident, stating that an investigation is underway to gather evidence, including CCTV footage from the area.
Amy Winehouse, born in 1983, was deeply proud of her Jewish heritage, often reflecting it in her music and public appearances. Her eclectic style and soulful voice won her international acclaim and six Grammy awards. Tragically, the singer’s life was cut short when she passed away in 2011 at the age of 27.
