Blue plaque marking Belfast birthplace of former Israeli president removed 'due to anti-Israeli attacks'

The plaque was first erected on a property at Cliftonpark Avenue in 1998.

It marks the birthplace of Chaim Herzog - who later went on to become President of Israel between 1983 and 1993.

But according to one DUP councillor, the plaque has had to be removed due to a spate of attacks.

Brian Kingston said there was concern for the safety of those living in the area.

"Attacks have included the scrawling of anti-Israeli graffiti on the building and items being thrown at the plaque and the house," he said.

"Recently some youths were stopped in the process of trying to remove the plaque with a crowbar.

"Out of concern for staff and for residents living in neighbouring houses, the community group and the Ulster History Circle have decided that it was best to remove the plaque for the foreseeable future, and it was removed at the end of last week."

Last month windows were smashed at a synagogue in north Belfast.

The attack on the Somerton Road building was branded "disgraceful and despicable".

Figures released last month showed incidents of antisemitism across Britain rose by more than a third in the first six months of this year, indicating rising hate crime against Jews prior to the current conflict in Gaza and Israel.

Incidents since the start of the latest surge in conflict include an assault on a rabbi near a Jewish boarding school in Gateshead, the desecration of a Manchester cemetery, physical assaults and a poster displaying an antisemitic image of a hook-nosed man pasted on a Hertfordshire street.

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