Four ambulances owned by a Jewish charity were deliberately set ablaze in London early Monday in what authorities are treating as an antisemitic hate crime. Investigations are ongoing to verify a claim of responsibility from a group suspected to have ties to Iran.
While the incident has not been labeled as terrorism, counterterror officials are leading the probe. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the nighttime attack, which caused extensive damage to the ambulances and nearby residences.
London’s Metropolitan Police Chief, Mark Rowley, stated that all possible leads are being pursued, including an online assertion by an Islamist organization with purported connections to Iran. The attack drew strong condemnation from religious and political figures, with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer denouncing it as “horrific.”
The vandalism occurred in Golders Green, a neighborhood in north London with a significant Jewish population. The ambulances, belonging to Hatzola Northwest, a volunteer emergency medical service provider, were targeted in the attack, causing oxygen cylinders to explode and triggering evacuations in the vicinity.
Footage captured by a security camera depicted three individuals in dark clothing approaching one of the ambulances with a canister before flames erupted. Authorities are now searching for the suspects but have not made any arrests yet.
The incident has sparked fear within the UK’s Jewish community, which has been experiencing a surge in antisemitic incidents. The rise in hostility has been linked to geopolitical events, such as the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis described the attack as a “sickening assault” and emphasized the need for unity in combating hatred and intimidation. Calls for enhanced security measures at Jewish institutions ahead of the upcoming Passover holiday have also been made in response to the escalating threats faced by the community.