UK impact: The firebombing of four Jewish community ambulances in Golders Green, north London, marks one of the most serious antisemitic attacks in the UK since the 2025 Manchester synagogue attack that killed two worshippers. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s immediate condemnation reflects growing concern within government that the conflict in the Middle East is fuelling domestic extremism.
Key developments for UK readers:
- Security concerns: The attack targeted Hatzola, a volunteer ambulance service that works alongside the NHS. The government has pledged to replace the vehicles, but questions remain about security at Jewish community sites.
- Iran-linked group: A militant collective calling itself the Islamic Movement of the People of the Right Hand claimed responsibility. The group has reportedly been behind similar attacks in Belgium and the Netherlands, raising concerns about coordinated extremism in Europe.
- Political pressure: The Israeli embassy in London has intensified criticism of the UK government, calling for “decisive action” and warning that “silence and inaction are no longer an option.” Mayor Sadiq Khan has ordered increased police patrols in the area.
- Counter-terrorism response: While police are treating the attack as an antisemitic hate crime, the investigation is being led by counter-terrorism officers with specialist expertise — acknowledging the potential national security implications.
The attack comes just weeks after Starmer warned that the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran would stoke tensions in the UK. The Community Security Trust, which advises Britain’s Jewish community on security, has recorded significantly higher levels of antisemitic hate since the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.
For London’s estimated 200,000 Jewish residents, the attack represents a deeply unsettling escalation. The targeting of emergency responders — volunteers who provide critical medical services — has been condemned across the political spectrum. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is expected to face questions in Parliament about what additional measures will be taken to protect Jewish communities.
By Suban Abdulla and Sam Tabahriti
LONDON, March 23 (Reuters) – Four Jewish community ambulances were set ablaze in north London on Monday in what British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called “a deeply shocking antisemitic arson attack.”
The London Fire Brigade, which sent six fire engines and 40 firefighters to the scene, said multiple cylinders on the vehicles exploded, shattering nearby windows. No injuries were reported and no arrests have been made.
The SITE Intelligence website said an Iran-aligned multinational militant collective called Islamic Movement of the People of the Right Hand had claimed responsibility for the attack near a synagogue in Golders Green.
It said the group had been behind similar fires in Liege, Belgium, and Rotterdam and Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
ISRAELI EMBASSY CONDEMNS CLIMATE OF INTIMIDATION
The Israeli embassy in London, which has long criticised Britain for failing to do more to tackle antisemitism, said the firebombings followed years of “hate-filled marches” in support of the Palestinians, along with incitement and intimidation.
“Enough is enough,” it said on X, calling for “decisive action to put an end to this climate of intimidation before it spirals further. Silence and inaction are no longer an option.”
Security footage showed three men in hooded jackets approaching the ambulances before they were engulfed in flames.
Police said the fires were being treated as an antisemitic hate crime and not as a terrorist incident, but the investigation would be led by counter-terrorism officers who have specialist expertise. They also said they could not confirm the authenticity of the online claim at this stage.
Amid tense scenes on Monday morning, several men briefly challenged an Al Jazeera camera crew who were present. Others urged the visiting health minister, Wes Streeting, to view a nearby wall covered in pictures of people killed in Iran.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan condemned the attack and said police patrols would be increased in the area.
“My thoughts are with the Jewish community who are waking up this morning to this horrific news,” Starmer said on X. “Antisemitism has no place in our society.”
HATZOLA VOLUNTEERS WORK ALONGSIDE NHS
The ambulances belonged to Hatzola, a not-for-profit volunteer organisation that responds to medical emergencies and works alongside Britain’s health service.
It was founded in the 1960s in Brooklyn, New York, to provide services to its Yiddish speaking, Hasidic community.
Board of Deputies President Phil Rosenberg said the Hatzola service would continue to operate for the “nation that we love”, adding “we shall not be moved”.
Streeting said the government would replace the ambulances.
ATTACKS ON JEWISH TARGETS HAVE RISEN
Attacks against Jewish people and targets have risen worldwide since the October 2023 Hamas assault on Israel that triggered the Gaza war, and Starmer had warned that the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran would stoke tensions further.
He said in early March that the government would work with Muslim and Jewish organisations to ensure that sensitive sites had appropriate security.
Britain has recorded significantly higher levels of antisemitic hate since the 2023 attack, according to the Community Security Trust, which advises Britain’s estimated 290,000 Jews on security matters.
The most severe incident was a 2025 attack in Manchester that killed two Jewish worshippers during Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
(Reporting by Andy Bruce in Manchester, Sam Tabahriti and Suban Abdulla in London, and Gursimran Kaur in Bengaluru. Writing by Kate Holton; Editing by Tom Hogue, Shri Navaratnam and Alison Williams)
Reuters wire copy published under license. UK impact analysis by Credibility News.
