Counter-terror police investigate after ‘horrific antisemitic attack’ on Jewish charity’s ambulances

Counter-terror police investigate after ‘horrific antisemitic attack’ on Jewish charity’s ambulances

The UK prime minister, Keir Starmer, has called for communities to “all stand together” after four Jewish community ambulances were set on fire in a “horrific antisemitic attack” in Golders Green, London.
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The Metropolitan police said the incident was being treated as an antisemitic hate crime, with CCTV showing three individuals setting light to an ambulance in the early hours of Monday morning. The force added that the attack had not been declared a terrorist incident although counter-terrorism policing were leading the investigation.

The ambulances belonged to the Jewish charity Hatzola, which was established in 1979 and is run by volunteers, providing free medical transportation and emergency response to people living in north London.

Jewish community leaders condemned the attack, with the chief rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, saying the targeting of the volunteer service was “particularly sickening”.

The Guardian understands that the Iran-linked Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia group shared a claim of responsibility that had been broadcast across pro-Iranian groups on the messaging service Telegram.

This is the latest in a series of attacks on the Jewish community across Europe and North America within the last month. In Toronto, community leaders called for urgent action after three synagogues were struck by gunfire within a week, while synagogues in the Belgian city of Liège and the Dutch city of Rotterdam were targeted with explosions, while a bomber also struck of Jewish school in Amsterdam, with no injuries.

Four men were arrested in London and Hertfordshire in early March suspected of gathering information on potential targets including synagogues and Jewish individuals.

Guardian reporter Kevin Rawlinson spoke to local residents who say this is just the latest example of hostility that has been building for years. Tap the link to read his full report ► https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/mar/23/jewish-volunteer-ambulances-fire-golders-green-suspected-arson-antisemitic-ntwnfb

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