Four ambulances of Jewish organisation set on fire in London

Four ambulances belonging to the Jewish voluntary organisation Hatzolah were set on fire in north London last night in what British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described as a ‘deeply shocking anti-Semitic arson attack’. The incident occurred near a synagogue in the Golders Green area.

The London Fire Brigade deployed six fire engines and 40 firefighters. Several cylinders exploded during the blaze, causing windows in a neighbouring apartment block to shatter. The fire was brought under control a few hours after midnight. No injuries were reported.

According to SITE Intelligence, the attack was claimed by a transnational militant group linked to Iran, which is also believed to be behind similar incidents in Belgium, Greece and the Netherlands.

Starmer condemned the incident and said anti-Semitism has no place in British society. The Israeli embassy in London said it was the result of a long-standing tolerance of hatred and called for a thorough investigation.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced increased police patrols in the area. Police are investigating the case as an anti-Semitic hate crime. Attacks on Jewish targets have increased worldwide since October 2023, according to available data.

(reuters, max)