Man kidnapped and beaten due to anti-Semitism in Wales

Itay Kashti, a 45-year-old Israeli music producer living in London, was kidnapped in a rural part of Wales last year. He was promised a music retreat, but upon arrival, he was attacked by three masked men who handcuffed him to a radiator. They beat him violently, and he feared for his life. The attackers, Faiz Shah, Mohammad Comrie, and Elijah Ogunnubi-Sime, were later sentenced to over eight years in prison for their roles in the kidnapping. The judge noted that the motive was both for extortion and rooted in anti-Semitism. Itay, who has lived in the UK for 18 years, was targeted due to his Jewish background. Itay was able to escape thanks to the taxi driver who had dropped him off. The driver raised the alarm after witnessing the attack. Itay later managed to free himself from the handcuffs and call for help while hiding near the cottage. The ordeal has left Itay shaken, leading him to reflect on the presence of anti-Semitism in the UK. Before the attack, he felt safe and accepted in his new country. Now, he questions whether he made the right choice to live there. However, he also acknowledges the support he received during and after the incident, which has given him some hope.