A road sign appearing to warn people to “Beware of Jews” has been revealed to be an art project.
Yesterday, Heat Street reported that the seemingly offensive sign had been put up near a synagogue in north London as a deliberate attack by racists on Orthodox Jews.
By then, police had been alerted to what was being considered a hate crime and several politicians had condemned it. Jewish community leaders also expressed their alarm because of a record rise in anti-Semitic incidents in London last year.
However, realizing the trouble he had caused, the artist responsible unmasked himself and apologized.
Frank Allais said the mock sign was one of 27 he had placed around London to illustrate the diversity of the English capital.
Other signs, also in a red warning triangle, included an older woman pulling a shopping trolley and a man in a wheelchair.
Allais told the Guardian: “It was a project about crossing the road … how everyone is different, everyone has an identity. I put more signs up but only this one got noticed. I am sorry for any offence caused.”