Counter-terror police are investigating the “firebombing” of a synagogue in north London, the latest in a “terrifying” spate of arson attacks on the Jewish community in London.
Police were called to Kenton United Synagogue in Shaftesbury Avenue, Harrow, at around midnight after a bottle containing an accelerant was thrown through a window.
It caused smoke damage, but there were no injuries and no significant structural damage.
The Chief Rabbi called the attack “cowardly” and said “a sustained campaign of violence and intimidation against the Jewish community of the UK is gathering momentum”.
It follows follows similar recent incidents targeting the Jewish community in Finchley,
Golders Green and Hendon.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was “appalled” by the “recent attempted antisemitic arson attacks”.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism, posting on its account on X said: “ Last night, another Jewish synagogue in London was firebombed, this time in Kenton.
“This is the third such attack in as many days, and also comes after the recent ambulance
arson attack and a supposed drone threat against the Israeli embassy in London this week.
“This is now becoming a terrifying spate of daily arson attacks on the Jewish community. It betrays a cataclysmic failure of the state – politicians, police chiefs and prosecutors – to tackle antisemitic extremism in this country, which has gone largely unchecked for two and a half years.
“Britain is fundamentally a different country now. “
It posted a video showing the aftermath of the incident with police and the
London Fire Brigade on the scene.
The incident overnight follows a string of arson attacks in north London in recent days and weeks.
Counter-terror police have launched an investigation after an arson attack on Friday a building formerly used by a
Jewish charity in Hendon.
The incident is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime.
Counter-terror police are also investigating attempted
arson attacks on a Persian language media organisation and a
synagogue in Finchley, as well as a
mbulances belonging to a Jewish charity set alight in Golders Green last month.
A Met Police spokesperson said: “At around midnight on Sunday, 19 April officers on deterrence and reassurance patrols following a series of incidents in north west London noticed damage to a window of the Kenton United Synagogue in Shaftesbury Avenue, Harrow.
“On further inspection they saw smoke inside a room and evidence that a bottle with some sort of accelerant had been thrown through the window.“
“The London Fire Brigade was called and firefighters searched the building to confirm that there was no further fire risk.
“The incident is being treated as arson and an investigation is underway led by Counter Terrorism Policing London, supported by local officers.
Responding to the latest attack the Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis said in the statement shared on X, formerly Twitter: “Last night yet another synagogue, this time in Kenton, was targeted in a cowardly arson attack.
“It follows the attack in Finchley on Wednesday and the attempted attack on what was the Jewish Futures building in Hendon on Friday night, making three Jewish sites attacked in London in less than a week.
“A sustained campaign of violence and intimidation against the Jewish community of the UK is gathering momentum.
“This sustained attack on our community’s ability to worship and live in safety is an attack on the values that bind us all together.
“Thank God, no lives have been lost, but we cannot, and must not, wait for that to change before we understand just how dangerous this moment is for all of our society.”
In a statement posted on X, the Prime Minister said: “I am appalled by recent attempted antisemitic arson attacks in North London.
“This is abhorrent and it will not be tolerated. Attacks on our Jewish community are attacks on Britain.
“We are increasing visible policing and those responsible will be found and brought to justice. We will not rest in the pursuit of perpetrators.
The president of for umbrella jewish body The United Synagogue called on Sir Keir to declare “an epidemic of anti-Jewish hate” in the wake of a series of the arson and attempted arson attacks.
Saul Taylor said: “The Government and local police forces have responded well to the recent appalling attacks including Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation and Hatzola ambulances, but it is clear that more must be done to prevent these attacks occurring at all.
“The Prime Minister should declare publicly what the Jewish community has known for some time: this is an epidemic of anti-Jewish hate.”He added in the statement: “A synagogue is not just a building, it is a place of worship, community and – theoretically – safety.
“To target it in this way is a deeply disturbing act that strikes at the heart of Jewish life.“Thank God no one was hurt and we are grateful to the emergency services and Community Security Trust for their swift response today.”
Reacting to the spate of attacks, Richard Verber The United Synagogue’s chief communications officer, said: “Whilst most British Jews don’t want to be thinking about ‘where else am I going to live if Britain is not safe?’, that is a conversation that is certainly now beginning to happen.”
He was asked if there had been discussions at the Kenton synagogue about security concerns, given the similar attacks at Jewish sites in recent weeks.
He told the Press Association: “It’s a tragic answer that I’m going to give you… these conversations have been happening not for days or weeks or months, but for years.
“I don’t know if you’ve ever had the opportunity to visit a Jewish school or a synagogue, but it can sometimes feel there’s less security getting into a prison in the UK – the amount of security guards, cameras, barbed wire.”
A spokesperson for the Community Security Trust charity, that protects Jewish communities, said: “We are aware of another attempted
arson, this time targeting a synagogue in north
London,
“On this occasion there was minor smoke damage to an internal room, but there were no injuries and no significant structural damage.
“We want to thank the Met Police and
London Fire Brigade for responding quickly and for all they are doing to protect the Jewish community during this unprecedented period.
“We are supporting the affected location and are working closely with the police as they investigate and seek to identify those responsible.
“We urge people to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity, at any time of day or night, to the police immediately on 999 and then to CST.”
