Gail's bakery in London targeted in repeated anti-Zionist attacks as residents express fear and anger

"Everyone I have talked to is disgusted about the attacks - and that includes people who are otherwise pro-Palestine as well as those who are just angry at the High Street getting smashed up, said James Heartfield, an Islington resident, highlighting broad community disapproval of the vandalism incidents regardless of political stance."

"I've lived in the area for 23 years and this is the first time I've seen that a business has been targeted based on the nationality and ethnicity of the owner, said Eve, a local resident, expressing concern that the attacks represent a troubling precedent of discrimination based on ownership background."

"Campaigns against Gail's have made claims that the cafe chain has links to the IDF and Israeli government. The cafe was founded by Israeli baker Gail Mejia before being turned into a cafe by Ran Avidan, an Israeli entrepreneur in the early 2000s, establishing the political context behind the protests."

A newly opened Gail's bakery on Junction Road in Archway, north west London, experienced two separate vandalism attacks within five days. The first occurred on February 19, the night before opening, and the second on Tuesday night, with both incidents involving smashed windows and red graffiti spraying anti-Zionist messages and boycott slogans. A demonstration also occurred on the cafe's opening day. Local residents expressed significant concern and anxiety, with some viewing the attacks as ethnicity-based targeting of the Israeli-owned business. The bakery chain, founded by Israeli baker Gail Mejia and expanded by Israeli entrepreneur Ran Avidan, has faced campaigns linking it to Israeli government and military connections.

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