New UK arson attack as PM meets on anti-Semitism
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is hosting a meeting to respond to the latest wave of anti-Semitic attacks that have caused anger and fear in the Jewish community, while counter-terrorism police are investigating an arson attack at a former synagogue in London.
There was minor damage to the doors and lock at the front of the former temple in the Whitechapel district of east London, but no one was injured, the Metropolitan Police said on Tuesday.
The incident was the latest attack since four ambulances belonging to a Jewish charity were set on fire in March.
A synagogue has since been firebombed and other Jewish sites have been targeted in arson attempts.
Two Jews were stabbed on April 29 in what the police described as an act of terrorism.
“This is part of a pattern of increasing antisemitism that is leaving our Jewish communities afraid, angry and asking whether this country, their home, is safe for them,” Starmer told community leaders.
“These disgusting attacks are being carried out against British Jews. But make no mistake, this crisis is a crisis for all of us.”
The number of anti-Semitic incidents reported across the UK has increased since the attack on southern Israel by Hamas-led militants on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent war in Gaza, according to the Community Security Trust charity.
The group recorded 3700 incidents in 2025, up from 1662 in 2022.
The latest wave of attacks has occurred since the Iran war began on February 28, and police are investigating whether they were the work of Iran’s proxies.
A pro-Iranian group calling itself Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia (Islamic Movement of the Right Companions) claimed responsibility for many attacks.
He also acknowledged that he was behind incidents that have occurred in houses of worship, businesses and financial institutions across Europe in recent months, all of which appear to be linked to Jewish or Israeli interests.
“One of the lines of inquiry is whether a foreign state is behind some of these events,” Starmer said. he said.
“Our message to Iran or any country that seeks to incite violence, hatred or division in society is that this will not be tolerated.”
Starmer has vowed to take action to tackle anti-Semitism, including demanding universities publish the extent of the problem and take steps to stop it.
Arts funding will be withdrawn from anyone who supports antisemitism.
Britain raised its terror threat level from serious to the second highest on a five-point scale following the stabbings.
The rating means intelligence agencies consider an attack likely to occur within the next six months.
The government said the change was driven not only by the stabbings, but also by “the threat of Islamist and far-right terrorism from individuals and small groups in the UK”.
