Golders Green hearth: Starmer condemns ‘deeply shocking’ assault after Jewish ambulances set alight in ‘antisemitic hate crime’ | EUROtoday

Sir Keir Starmer has condemned a “horrific” antisemitic arson assault after 4 Jewish neighborhood ambulances had been set on hearth in a single day.

CCTV has proven three people setting gentle to the autos within the early hours of Monday morning earlier than fleeing the scene.

The ambulances, which belong to the volunteer-run emergency service Hatzola, had been focused in Highfield Road in Golders Green at round 1.45am, with no accidents reported.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed the incident is being handled as an antisemitic hate crime, with no arrests but made.

In a publish on X, Sir Keir Starmer mentioned: “This is a deeply shocking antisemitic arson attack. My thoughts are with the Jewish community who are waking up this morning to this horrific news. Antisemitism has no place in our society. Anyone with any information must come forward to the police.”

Plenty of explosions heard within the space are believed to be linked to fuel canisters on board, with close by houses evacuated as a precaution and street closures stay in place.

Speaking to The Independent, Damon Hoff, the president of the close by Machzike Hadath Synagogue, mentioned the explosions woke him and his household, and described the incident as an “attack on anything decent”.

He mentioned: “This is the deepest heart of the Jewish community, and it’s an unbelievable vulnerability because it’s your way of life and it’s an attack on everything that you stand for.”

Mr Hoff added that historic stain glass home windows on the synagogue had been broken by the hearth, in addition to smoke injury to the roof of the constructing.

Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis mentioned in a press release on X: “The deliberate arson attacks against Hatzola ambulances in London are a particularly sickening assault – not only on the Jewish community, but on the values we share as a society.

“Our Hatzola volunteer ambulance corps is an extraordinary service, whose sole mission is to protect life, Jewish and non-Jewish alike.

“The targeting of Hatzola by people so committed to terror, hatred and the desecration of life is a most painful illustration of the ongoing battle between those who sanctify life and those who seek to destroy it.

“At a time when Jewish communities around the world are facing a growing pattern of these violent attacks, we will meet this moment with shared resolve and stand together against hatred and intimidation.”

Health secretary Wes Streeting mentioned in a publish on X: “This is a sickening attack on Jewish ambulances. Thank goodness there appear to be no injuries.

“Anyone with information should come forward to the Police. We must stand together against antisemitic hatred.”

Shomrim, a non-profit organisation which operates a neighbourhood watch within the Golders Green neighbourhood, mentioned it was “aware of loud explosions” early on Monday morning.

“Emergency services are on scene following a deliberate incident involving #Hatzola ambulances being set alight,” the group mentioned in a publish on X.

“The explosions were caused by oxygen tanks not a bomb or explosive device. Although some buildings have been evacuated no casualties have been reported.

Shomrim said Northwest London facility run by fellow Jewish charity Hatzola remained fully operational.

Hatzola, which was established in 1979 and is run by volunteers, provides free medical transportation and emergency response to those living in North London.

The fire brigade said around 40 firefighters were called to the fires and that multiple cylinders on the vehicles had exploded, causing windows to break in nearby flats.

Golders Green ward councillor Dean Cohen, who was at the scene, told Jewish News the fact the incident was taking place in the “car park of a synagogue is particularly chilling and will send shockwaves through our community at a time of already heightened fears over antisemitism in the UK”.

He mentioned: “It’s beyond time for the authorities to wake and do more to tackle this hate running riot.”

Community Security Trust (CST), a charity which screens antisemitism within the UK, confirmed in a press release on X that it was aiding police of their enquiries.

The assertion mentioned: “We are aware of multiple Hatzola ambulances that have been deliberately set alight in London.

“This has obvious comparison to similar antisemitic arson attacks recently in Belgium and the Netherlands.

“No injuries have been reported at this time and we are helping @MPSBarnet with their enquiries.”

Local resident and councillor Shimon Ryde advised the BBC: “It’s very shocking, it’s not unexpected.

“The Jewish community is very aware of the danger we live in.”

London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan mentioned it was a “cowardly attack on the Jewish community” and insisted “Londoners will never be cowed by this kind of hatred and intimidation”.

Superintendent Sarah Jackson, who leads policing within the native space, mentioned: “We know this incident will cause a great deal of community concern and officers remain on scene to carry out urgent enquiries.

“We are in the process of examining CCTV and are aware of online footage. We believe we are looking for three suspects at this early stage.

“There have been no arrests yet, and we would urge anyone with information to please contact us as soon as possible – you can do so anonymously if you wish.

“We will be engaging with faith leaders and carrying out additional patrols in the local area as we continue our investigation to provide reassurance and a highly visible presence.”