UK police are investigating after four ambulances linked to a Jewish volunteer service were set on fire in north London, with terror Ashab al-Yamin mentioned as being linked to the incident. The events unfolded around 1:45 am Monday on Highfield Road in Golders Green, near the Machzike Hadath synagogue, officials said, according to the Guardian.
The vehicles belonged to Hatzola, a volunteer-run charity providing free emergency medical transport in the area. Police say the attack is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime. No arrests have been made so far.
According to the Metropolitan Police, three suspects are being sought. Individuals in hooded clothing allegedly poured an accelerant onto the ambulances before setting them alight and fleeing the scene. The fire caused oxygen canisters inside the vehicles to explode, damaging nearby residential windows and forcing 34 residents to leave their homes temporarily.
Authorities confirmed that counter-terrorism officers are now leading the investigation, though the incident has not been formally classified as terrorism.
DCS Luke Williams said: “We believe we are looking for three suspects at this early stage. CCTV footage appears to show three people in hoods pouring an accelerant on to the vehicles before igniting them and fleeing.”
“While this has not been declared a terrorist incident at this stage, the investigation is now being led by counter-terrorism policing with all the specialist expertise they bring, and all lines of enquiry remain open. We are aware of an online claim from a group taking responsibility for this attack. Establishing the authenticity and accuracy of this claim will be a priority for the investigation team but it is not something we can confirm at this point.”
Police said a group has claimed responsibility online, but the claim has not been verified. The Guardian reported that the Iran-linked Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia (HAYI) circulated a statement across Telegram channels, including a video referencing the synagogue and its historical ties to Israel.
In the video, the group said: “The Machzike Hadath Synagogue in London is one of the important centers of Orthodox Judaism, and its deepest connection to Israel is through Rabbi Abraham Isaac HaCohen Kook, the first Chief Rabbi of Israel and one of the most influential thinkers of Religious Zionism, who served at this synagogue before immigrating to the Land of Israel.”
“This historical bond continues to this day, and the synagogue has become one of the main bastions of support for Israel in Britain; so much so that in June 2024, Rishi Sunak, the former British Prime Minister, visited this site amidst the Gaza war to affirm, alongside his expression of solidarity with the Jewish community, his country’s unwavering support for Israel.”
Political leaders condemned the attack. Prime Minister Keir Starmer: “This is a deeply shocking antisemitic arson attack. My thoughts are with the Jewish community who are waking up this morning to this horrific news.” He added: “Antisemitism has no place in our society. Anyone with any information must come forward to the police.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “This is a cowardly attack on the Jewish community. I am in close contact with the police who are stepping up patrols in the area, and I urge anyone with information to come forward. Londoners will never be cowed by this kind of hatred and intimidation.”
The vehicles belonged to Hatzola, a volunteer-run charity providing free emergency medical transport in the area. Police say the attack is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime. No arrests have been made so far.
According to the Metropolitan Police, three suspects are being sought. Individuals in hooded clothing allegedly poured an accelerant onto the ambulances before setting them alight and fleeing the scene. The fire caused oxygen canisters inside the vehicles to explode, damaging nearby residential windows and forcing 34 residents to leave their homes temporarily.
Authorities confirmed that counter-terrorism officers are now leading the investigation, though the incident has not been formally classified as terrorism.
DCS Luke Williams said: “We believe we are looking for three suspects at this early stage. CCTV footage appears to show three people in hoods pouring an accelerant on to the vehicles before igniting them and fleeing.”
“While this has not been declared a terrorist incident at this stage, the investigation is now being led by counter-terrorism policing with all the specialist expertise they bring, and all lines of enquiry remain open. We are aware of an online claim from a group taking responsibility for this attack. Establishing the authenticity and accuracy of this claim will be a priority for the investigation team but it is not something we can confirm at this point.”
Police said a group has claimed responsibility online, but the claim has not been verified. The Guardian reported that the Iran-linked Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia (HAYI) circulated a statement across Telegram channels, including a video referencing the synagogue and its historical ties to Israel.
In the video, the group said: “The Machzike Hadath Synagogue in London is one of the important centers of Orthodox Judaism, and its deepest connection to Israel is through Rabbi Abraham Isaac HaCohen Kook, the first Chief Rabbi of Israel and one of the most influential thinkers of Religious Zionism, who served at this synagogue before immigrating to the Land of Israel.”
“This historical bond continues to this day, and the synagogue has become one of the main bastions of support for Israel in Britain; so much so that in June 2024, Rishi Sunak, the former British Prime Minister, visited this site amidst the Gaza war to affirm, alongside his expression of solidarity with the Jewish community, his country’s unwavering support for Israel.”
Political leaders condemned the attack. Prime Minister Keir Starmer: “This is a deeply shocking antisemitic arson attack. My thoughts are with the Jewish community who are waking up this morning to this horrific news.” He added: “Antisemitism has no place in our society. Anyone with any information must come forward to the police.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “This is a cowardly attack on the Jewish community. I am in close contact with the police who are stepping up patrols in the area, and I urge anyone with information to come forward. Londoners will never be cowed by this kind of hatred and intimidation.”
