Family ’emotionally broken’ after racially motivated attack

The day after the attack, Jamal spent hours at the Housing Executive, in the hope of finding somewhere safe to stay, but says they told him there “was nowhere in Belfast”.

The Housing Executive, who have provided temporary accommodation to the family, said they were operating in “unprecedented” circumstances.

A spokesperson said: “The rise in demand for social housing and increased numbers of individuals and families who are homeless and require temporary accommodation has been unprecedented in recent times.

“We will always ensure that placements of this type are for as short a duration as possible and this placement location is reviewed on a daily basis.”

As well as losing his part-time job, Jamal says he and his wife have struggled to get to their baby’s hospital appointments in Belfast since the move.

He told BBC News his wife is “emotionally broken” and that his daughter is crying all the time.

“I feel I am not safe. I felt the same as I did in Palestine.”