LONDON — Police once again locked down the heavily Jewish neighborhood of Golders Green in northwest London on Thursday — but unlike after the stabbing attack in which a terrorist wounded two Jewish men last month, this time the cordon was welcome, as residents of the area turned out in force to greet King Charles III.

The monarch visited the head office of Jewish Care, a leading nonprofit health and social care organization serving the local Jewish community, and met with the two men who were stabbed just feet away from the building as he sought to express his support for the country’s under fire Jewish community.

British Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, who was also at the meeting, along with Metropolitan Police chief Mark Rowley,  told Charles his visit was much appreciated by the victims, 34-year-old Shloime Rand and 76-year-old Norman Shine.

Mirvis later wrote on Facebook: “Thank you, your Majesty, for coming today to Golders Green to bring comfort and encouragement to our Jewish community.”

Charles was met by a cheering crowd of people who live and work in the area, many of whom called out, “Long live the King,” as he arrived. Some had come after hearing about the visit in the synagogue, while others picked up the news while shopping at nearby stores such as Kosher Kingdom.

Speaking afterwards, Shine, who was stabbed in the neck, said he had felt “genuine warmth” from the monarch.

“The most inspiring thing was that he didn’t let go of my hand,” said Shine. “I mean, it was amazing. He is the king, but I felt a genuine warmth and concern.”

Somali-born Essa Suleiman, 45, has been charged with three counts of attempted murder in connection with the stabbing on April 29. He is accused of trying to kill another man before stabbing Rand and Shine that day.

The trip to Golders Green came the day after the king’s speech that marked the opening of parliament at Westminster, in which Charles outlined government plans to introduce tougher new legislation to protect the Jewish community from growing antisemitism. It also coincided with the publication of a letter by Prince Harry, who is estranged from Charles, condemning the........

© The Times of Israel