The Metropolitan Police in the UK has announced that its counter-terrorism unit is looking into a fire that occurred at a synagogue located in east London. This investigation comes in the wake of a violent incident earlier this month in Golders Green, where two Jewish individuals were assaulted and stabbed.
In response to the recent surge in antisemitic attacks, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer convened a meeting at Downing Street, bringing together community leaders, ministers, and police officials to discuss the troubling situation. He described the rise in such incidents as a “crisis” that requires immediate attention.
The latest event involved firefighters responding to a fire at a former synagogue in east London early Tuesday morning, which resulted in minor damage, as reported by the Metropolitan Police. Given the specific circumstances of the incident and its location, the Counter Terrorism Policing London unit has taken charge of the investigation.
In recent weeks, there have been multiple incidents targeting London’s Jewish community, particularly in Golders Green, a neighborhood known for its significant Jewish population. Notably, two Jewish men were stabbed in the area, leading to the arrest of a suspect on charges of attempted murder. Additionally, an arson attack in March resulted in the destruction of four ambulances belonging to the Hatzola Jewish charity.
Authorities have also reported that bottles believed to contain petrol were thrown at two synagogues in different incidents. A lesser-known group, Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya (HAYI), reportedly claimed responsibility for many of these attacks, according to the SITE Intelligence Group. This group has also been linked to similar attacks in other parts of Europe.
During the meeting on Tuesday, Sir Keir emphasized the need for urgent legislation to address these “malign threats.” He stated, “Our message to Iran or any other nation that might incite violence, hatred, or division in our society is that such behavior will not be accepted.” He further noted that antisemitism has various sources, including Islamist extremists, far-left, and far-right movements that all pose threats to Jewish communities.
This issue has become increasingly prominent ahead of the local elections scheduled for later this week, with the Labour Party accusing some candidates from the left-wing Green Party of making antisemitic remarks. Labour is anticipated to lose numerous council seats to the Greens and other parties during the local elections, particularly in London, as disillusioned left-wing voters seek alternatives amid discontent over the Gaza conflict.
In the days leading up to the election, Labour has intensified its criticism of the Green Party, led by Zack Polanski, over alleged antisemitism among its members. Recently, two Green Party candidates in London were arrested on charges related to inciting racial hatred through antisemitic posts on social media and have since withdrawn from candidacy.
Government minister Steve Reed remarked that the Green Party has been “infiltrated by many hard-left individuals who were expelled from Labour due to antisemitism.” In response, a spokesperson for the Green Party characterized Labour’s actions as “desperate,” noting that out of over 4,500 candidates, only a few have made offensive comments, and those individuals no longer represent the party.
