Kamal Ghorui
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday condemned the torching of ambulances outside a synagogue in north London, calling it a “deeply shocking antisemitic arson attack” and asserting that “antisemitism has no place in our society.”Four ambulances belonging to a Jewish volunteer emergency service were set ablaze in the early hours of Monday, in what police are treating as an antisemitic hate crime.The attack occurred in Golders Green, a neighbourhood known for its large Jewish community. According to officials, the ambulances, operated by Hatzola Northwest, were deliberately targeted and severely damaged in the fire.
Multiple gas cylinders inside the vehicles exploded, causing loud blasts that shattered windows in nearby homes and forced precautionary evacuations. Despite the intensity of the blaze, no injuries were reported.Fire crews rushed to the scene with six engines and around 40 firefighters, managing to bring the flames under control. Residents described being woken up by loud explosions and seeing thick smoke billowing into the night sky.
Police probe antisemitic hate crime angle
The Metropolitan Police have launched an investigation and are treating the incident as an antisemitic hate crime. CCTV footage reportedly shows three individuals approaching one of the ambulances and setting it on fire before fleeing the scene.Police said no arrests have been made so far, but officers are examining surveillance footage and appealing to the public for information. Additional patrols have been deployed in the area to reassure the community, and authorities are engaging with local faith leaders.Local representatives and residents expressed shock and sadness over the attack. Community groups clarified that the explosions heard were caused by oxygen tanks inside the ambulances and not explosive devices.The incident has sparked concerns about rising antisemitism in the UK. Recent years have seen a rise in hate-related incidents, including a deadly attack outside a synagogue in Manchester in 2025.Golders Green is home to several synagogues, schools, and Jewish institutions, making the targeting of emergency vehicles outside a synagogue particularly disturbing for the community.
