An Iran-linked militant group has claimed responsibility for a pre-dawn arson attack on four Jewish community ambulances in Golders Green, north London, as the Metropolitan Police investigate the incident as an antisemitic hate crime.
The vehicles, belonging to Hatzolah — a volunteer-run emergency service that has provided free medical care to London’s Jewish community since 1979 — were set alight outside the Machzike Hadath Synagogue on Monday at around 1.45am. Explosions heard at the scene are believed to have been caused by gas canisters stored on board the vehicles. The London Fire Brigade confirmed multiple cylinders exploded, with the force sufficient to shatter windows in an adjacent residential block. Nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution.
Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, a group with reported links to Iran, posted a claim of responsibility on Telegram in multiple languages, citing the synagogue’s historical connections to Religious Zionism and its perceived support for Israel. The group noted that former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had visited the site in June 2024 to express solidarity with the Jewish community. GB News understands the claim has not yet been confirmed by authorities. Sources within the Israeli embassy have told The Telegraph they fear Tehran-backed proxies may have been involved.
The same group claimed responsibility last week for a bomb attack on a Jewish school in Amsterdam, which it described as a “final warning” to European nations to distance themselves from American and Zionist interests.
Unverified CCTV footage circulating online shows three hooded individuals approaching one of the ambulances before fire breaks out, with the group then seen fleeing the scene. Police said they are looking for three suspects at this stage. No arrests have been made and no injuries were reported.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the attack as “deeply shocking,” saying his thoughts were with the Jewish community and that antisemitism had “no place in our society.” Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she was “appalled” and reaffirmed the Government’s solidarity with Jewish communities across Britain. London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan described the attack as “cowardly” and confirmed that Metropolitan Police patrols in the area would be increased.
Labour MP for Finchley and Golders Green Sarah Sackman called it a “despicable, cowardly, antisemitic act,” paying tribute to the Hatzolah volunteers who she said had served people “from all communities” in their hour of need.
Golders Green ward councillor Dean Cohen, who attended the scene, described the attack as “particularly chilling” and said it would “send shockwaves through our community at a time of already heightened fears over antisemitism in the UK.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting CAD415 of 23 March, or to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
