Iran-linked group claims responsibility for arson attack on Jewish emergency vehicles in London

The ambulances, belonging to the Jewish Community Ambulance service Hatzolah, were set on fire outside the Machzike Hadath Synagogue at around 1.45am on Monday morning. Hatzolah is a volunteer-run, non-profit organisation which has provided free emergency medical care and transport to hospitals for the Jewish community in the capital since 1979.

Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia claimed they were behind the attack in a Telegram post seen by the People's Channel.

They wrote in multiple languages: “The Machzike Hadath Synagogue in London is one of the important centres of Orthodox Judaism, and its deepest connection to Israel is through Rabbi Abraham Isaac HaCohen Kook, the first Chief Rabbi of Israel and one of the most influential thinkers of Religious Zionism, who served at this synagogue before immigrating to the Land of Israel.

“This historical bond continues to this day, and the synagogue has become one of the main bastions of support for Israel in Britain, so much so that in June 2024, Rishi Sunak, the former British Prime Minister, visited this site amidst the Gaza war to affirm, alongside his expression of solidarity with the Jewish community, his country’s unwavering support for Israel."

Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia has also previously called for attacks on Jewish targets across Europe. Last week, they claimed the bomb attack on an Amsterdam Jewish school was a “final warning to the peoples of the world, especially in the European Union, to distance yourselves immediately from all American and Zionist interests and everything connected to them”.

The Met Office said they were aware of the reports but could not verify their accuracy at this stage of the investigation.

Sources within the Israeli embassy have said they fear proxies backed by Tehran may have had a hand in the attack, per The Telegraph.

Explosions were reported at the scene in the early hours of the morning, but are believed to have been caused by gas canisters onboard the vehicles.

Unverified CCTV footage shows three hooded figures approaching an ambulance before a fire starts.

The three are then seen fleeing the scene and running down the street from a different unverified CCTV camera.

No injuries have been reported and the fires have now been extinguished. The London Fire Brigade said multiple cylinders in the ambulances exploded, causing windows to break in an adjacent block of flats.

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Shomrim, a charity which operates a neighbourhood watch in Golders Green, said it strongly condemned the "deliberate anti semitic attack" on Hatzolah ambulances.

"This was not only a criminal act of arson, but a targeted and deeply concerning incident affecting a vital emergency service serving the local Jewish community," Shomrim said

.Sir Keir Starmer has condemned the attack calling it "deeply shocking". The Prime Minister said: "My thoughts are with the Jewish community who are waking up this morning to this horrific news. Antisemitism has no place in our society. Anyone with any information must come forward to the police."

Labour's MP for Finchley and Golders Green Sarah Sackman called it a "despicable, cowardly, antisemitic act", adding: "Hatzola NW is staffed by dedicated voulenteers who save lives from all communities.

"I know that many people across Finchley and Golders Green will have turned to Hatzola NW in their hour of need. The perpetrators must feel the full force of the law."The neighbourhood watch group added that it was working closely with the police and relevant authorities to assist with the investigation.

Superintendent Sarah Jackson, who leads policing in the area, said: "We know this incident will cause a great deal of community concern and officers remain on scene to carry out urgent enquiries.

"We are in the process of examining CCTV and are aware of online footage. We believe we are looking for three suspects at this early stage.

"There have been no arrests yet, and we would urge anyone with information to please contact us as soon as possible - you can do so anonymously if you wish.

London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan condemned the attack as "cowardly" as he confirmed Met Police patrols would be stepping up in the area.Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: I am appalled at the arson attack on ambulances in North London overnight. Anyone with knowledge of this horrific incident should contact the police.

"My message to our Jewish community is clear - we stand with you against the unacceptable scourge of antisemitism. My thanks to the professionalism of the emergency responders tackling the blaze."

Nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution and road closures remain in place. Golders Green ward councillor Dean Cohen, who was at the scene, told Jewish News the incident was "particularly chilling", adding it will "send shockwaves through our community at a time of already heightened fears over antisemitism in the UK".

Anyone with information is urged to call police on 101 quoting CAD415 of March 23, or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously.

GB News has approached the Israeli Embassy for further information.

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