Synagogue ‘firebombed’ in London as Jewish community rocked by fourth ‘attack’ in a month

A synagogue in north-west London was ‘firebombed’ amid ‘horrendous daily arson attacks on the Jewish community’.

Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow was targeted on Saturday night; This was the fourth attempted bomb attack on Jewish sites in a month.

In the video footage, it can be seen that fire brigades were also present and the blue lights of the police cars blocking the road were flashing at the scene.

A cordon was set up outside the synagogue on Shaftesbury Avenue in Kenton early Sunday morning and remains in place. Forensic teams are also at the scene.

Initial reports suggested that the incendiary device broke the medical room window, causing damage to the interior of the building.

However, the attack only caused ‘minor smoke damage’ and no ‘significant structural damage’ to the synagogue. No injuries were reported.

A spokesperson for the Community Security Trust told the Daily Mail: ‘Following similar incidents targeting the Jewish community in Finchley, Golders Green and Hendon, we are aware of another arson attempt, this time targeting a synagogue in North London.

‘In this incident there was minor smoke damage to the internal room, but there were no injuries or significant structural damage.

The attack caused only ‘minor smoke damage’ and no ‘significant structural damage’ to the synagogue

‘We would like to thank the Met Police, London Fire Brigade and our CST team for their rapid response and all they are doing to protect the Jewish community during this unprecedented time.

‘We are supporting the affected area and working closely with police who are investigating and trying to identify those responsible.

‘We urge people to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately to the police on 999 and then to CST, at any time of the day or night.’

Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis said: ‘Last night another synagogue was the target of a cowardly arson attack, this time in Kenton.

‘This follows the attack in Finchley on Wednesday and the Jewish Futures building in Hendon on Friday night, followed by three attempted attacks on Jewish sites in London in less than a week.

‘The campaign of violence and intimidation against the Jewish community in the UK is gaining momentum.

‘This sustained attack on our community’s ability to worship and live safely is an attack on the values ​​that hold us all together.

‘Thank God, there have been no casualties, but we cannot and must not wait for this to change before we realize how dangerous this moment is for our whole society.’

The Campaign Against Antisemitism said the incident highlighted ‘a wave of horrific arson attacks against the Jewish community on a daily basis’, adding that ‘Britain is now a fundamentally different country’.

A spokesman for the group said: ‘A synagogue in London was firebombed last night; This is now escalating into a horrifying wave of daily arson attacks on the Jewish community.

‘This betrays the appalling failure of the state – politicians, police chiefs and prosecutors – to tackle antisemitic extremism in this country, which has remained largely unchecked for two and a half years. Britain is now a fundamentally different country.

‘The government still refuses to ban the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, an obvious first step against foreign radicalization and interference.

‘It is shocking that the sensitivities of a violent Iranian regime are more important to the Government than the welfare of the Jewish people in this country.’

The Daily Mail has approached the Met Police and London Fire Brigade for comment.

The attack comes after arsonists targeted a Jewish business earlier this week.

The same Islamist group that launched a drone at the Israeli Embassy on Friday claimed responsibility for the attack and posted a video on Telegram showing a man setting fire to a bag and leaving it outside the building.

Police were called to reports of an arson attack in Hendon, North West London, at 10.31pm last night.

Police said a man approached a number of shops with a plastic bag, which was later understood to contain three bottles containing liquid.

The Metropolitan Police said: ‘He placed the bag next to the building and burned the items inside the bag. When the bottles failed to fully ignite, the man fled the scene.

‘There was minor damage to the store and no injuries were reported.

‘The investigation into the incident is being carried out by London Counter Terrorism Police, supported by officers from the North West Command Area. ‘This is not being treated as a terrorist incident and officers are keeping an open mind about the motive behind the attack.’

As of Saturday evening, no arrests have yet been made.

The Met said last night it was increasing resources in north-west London ‘following a number of arson and attempted arson attacks’ in the area.

“Following the latest incident in Hendon last night, communities can expect to see significantly increased numbers of police officers in and around the area tonight and over the weekend, with measures being put in place to help prevent and deter crime,” a spokesman confirmed last night.

The force said uniformed and plainclothes officers would increase their presence in the area and armed response vehicles and Counter Terrorism Police resources were also deployed.