London – The British counter-terrorism police have initiated an investigation into a recent arson attack aimed at the Jewish community in the capital, following a fire that broke out at a former synagogue in east London early on Tuesday, as confirmed by the Metropolitan Police in an official statement.
According to surveillance footage, the fire was deliberately set, leading authorities to classify the event as an act of arson. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries, and no arrests have yet been made.
This incident coincided with a meeting held by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Tuesday, where he engaged with community representatives, government officials, and police leaders to address the ongoing “crisis” of antisemitic violence in London.
In the previous week, two Jewish individuals were stabbed in northern London, and since March, a series of antisemitic attacks have targeted various synagogues and Jewish sites across the city.
During the meeting, Starmer mentioned that one avenue of investigation is the possibility of involvement from a foreign state in these attacks.
The group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, which is believed to have ties to Iran, has claimed responsibility for recent antisemitic incidents in the UK as well as additional attacks in other European nations over the past few months.
The Prime Minister asserted, “Our message to Iran or any nation that aims to incite violence, hatred, or discord within our society is unequivocal: such actions will not be tolerated.” He also indicated that there would be “consequences” if evidence confirmed Iran’s involvement in these incidents, and emphasized that new legislation to combat “malign threats” would be expedited.
In March, a spokesperson from Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia stated to CBS News that their actions would persist in targeting “U.S. and Israeli interests globally until every child in Gaza, Iran, Lebanon, and the nations of resistance is avenged.”
Following the announcement regarding the arson investigation, Detective Chief Superintendent Brittany Clarke, who oversees policing in the affected area, remarked, “While the building that was attacked has not functioned as a synagogue for several years, this fact will provide little solace to the Jewish community in Tower Hamlets, Hackney, and beyond, who are foremost in my thoughts this morning.”
