UK police probe arson attacks on Jewish targets

UK police say they are investigating possible links between the Iranian government and a series of arson attacks on Jewish targets in London; The country’s chief rabbi said this showed that a sustained campaign of violence against the Jewish community was gaining momentum.

Following the latest attack at the Kenton United Synagogue in the Harrow area of ​​the city shortly after midnight – the third such incident in a week – UK counter-terrorism police said they had launched an investigation into the incidents.

The pro-Iran government group, which said it was behind numerous attacks against the US, Israel and Jewish targets across Europe, said they were responsible.

“As the conflict in the Middle East continues to evolve, counter-terrorism police and our partners continue to survive the threat of hostile activity from Iran in the UK,” Counter-Terrorism Policing senior national co-ordinator Vicki Evans told reporters.

“We are aware of public reports suggesting this group may have links to Iran. As you can imagine, we will continue to investigate this question as our investigation evolves.”

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said the Kenton fire, which caused no significant damage, was the third “cowardly” attack on Jewish sites in the British capital in less than a week.

“The campaign of violence and intimidation against the Jewish community in the UK is gaining momentum,” Mirvis told X.

“Thank God, there were no casualties, but we cannot and should not wait for that to change before we realize how dangerous this moment is for our entire society.”

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 attempted attack on the Jewish Futures building in Hendon on Friday night, which led to three Jewish settlements in London being attacked…— Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis (@chiefrabbi) April 19, 2026

On Friday night, an attempt was made to arson a business affiliated with the Jewish community, while a few days ago police arrested two suspects who attempted an arson attack on another synagogue in the capital.

Meanwhile, the area around the Israeli embassy in London has been cordoned off following an online report that it was targeted by drones carrying “dangerous materials”.

Police later said that the items they found did not contain any harmful or dangerous substances.

Last month, several ambulances belonging to the Jewish volunteer emergency service Hatzola were set on fire when they were parked near a synagogue in Golders Green.

Police said they increased their presence in the area and officers on “deterrence” patrol noticed shortly after midnight that a window at the Kenton synagogue had been damaged.

They found that an accelerant had been added inside.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was appalled by the attempted anti-Semitic arson attacks.

“This is disgusting and will not be tolerated. Attacks on our Jewish community are attacks on Britain,” he wrote to X.

The pro-Iran group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiye (HAYI), or Right Hand of Islam Companion Movement, said it was responsible and posted a video on social media purporting to show the attack on the Kenton synagogue.

“The same group has claimed responsibility for many incidents in places of worship, workplaces and financial institutions across Europe in recent months,” Evans said. he said.

“All of these places appear to be linked to Jewish or Israeli interests.”