On Monday at 1:45 a.m. local time, four ambulances belonging to the Jewish volunteer medical service Hatzola Northwest were destroyed in an intentional fire at a synagogue parking lot in Golders Green, North London. The Metropolitan Police are treating the incident as an antisemitic hate crime, and UK Counter Terrorism Policing has launched a manhunt for three suspects captured on surveillance footage pouring an accelerant onto the vehicles.
Detectives are investigating an online claim of responsibility from an Islamist organization. According to the SITE Intelligence Group, a suspected Iran-linked group calling itself Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia posted footage of the burning vehicles on the messaging platform Telegram. The group has previously claimed responsibility for similar arson attacks in Belgium, Greece, and the Netherlands.
The blaze caused onboard oxygen canisters to explode, shattering windows in an adjacent apartment building. Authorities reported no injuries, though 34 local residents were temporarily evacuated as a safety precaution. As of Tuesday, police have made zero arrests in connection with the attack.
United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer held meetings with Jewish community leaders and condemned the destruction as a deeply shocking antisemitic arson attack. In response to the loss of the emergency vehicles, the UK government announced it will fund permanent replacements to ensure the charity’s medical operations continue without interruption.
The incident highlights escalating security challenges currently facing Jewish communities around the world, as law enforcement agencies increase patrols near religious institutions.