Elderly Woman Defiant After Synagogue Firebomb Attack in London
An 82-year-old woman has made a courageous declaration that a recent firebomb attack on her London synagogue will not deter her from attending services. Rhona Brickman, who has been a congregant at the Kenton Synagogue in Harrow for five decades, spoke out as UK Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis warned that horrific attacks on the Jewish community are "gathering momentum."
"We Are Not Going to Be Intimidated"
Brickman expressed her profound distress following the incident, stating: "I am absolutely horrified and terrified. But I will still keep going to the synagogue. We need to show we are strong and we are not going to be intimidated." The attack occurred around midnight when a Molotov cocktail was thrown through a window. Fortunately, it failed to ignite properly, preventing a potential catastrophe.
She further voiced her concerns about the broader societal climate, saying: "I am very afraid though for our country. I am shocked how things have deteriorated so much in such a short time. I feel so much has been allowed by the authorities that should not have been - these hate marches, and this poison being spewed. This only encourages hate crime."
Narrow Escape and Police Investigation
Another congregant, who wished to remain anonymous, highlighted how fortunate the community was that the firebomb landed in a medical room with little flammable material. "If it had been thrown in the next window, the library, a huge fire could have been set off. We have fire alarms. But the whole synagogue could have gone up in flames," they explained.
The Metropolitan Police are investigating a series of similar incidents over a 48-hour period. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans revealed that these attacks have been claimed online by a group called Ashab al-Yamin, which has also claimed responsibility for assaults on Jewish targets across Europe.
Potential Links to Iran and Political Response
Evans noted: "We are aware of public reporting that suggests this group may have links to Iran – as you would expect we will continue to explore that question as our investigation evolves." She added that authorities are considering whether the Iranian regime's tactic of using criminal proxies is being employed in London, describing it as "recruiting violence as a service."
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis condemned the latest attack as "cowardly," while Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expressed his appallment and promised increased "visible policing." Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes stated that the Metropolitan Police is confronting "a concerted campaign" targeting Londoners and the Jewish community.
Increased Patrols and Legal Warnings
Jukes emphasized: "London is better than this," and announced that police officers will be present on the streets "tonight, tomorrow night and in the weeks ahead, seen and unseen" with hundreds of additional patrols. He warned that individuals acting as "thugs for hire" will face the full extent of the law, asserting: "Let's be really clear - it's a mug’s game."
The incident at Kenton United Synagogue was discovered by one of these patrols, demonstrating the heightened security measures in response to the escalating threats.
