Arson Attack Attempt at London Synagogue Aimed to Intimidate Jewish Community
Cantor Zoe Jacobs, a senior clergy leader at Finchley Reform Synagogue in north London, has declared that an attempted arson attack on the place of worship was "clearly an attempt to intimidate the British Jewish community". The incident occurred shortly after midnight on Wednesday, 15 April 2026, when two individuals hurled bottles believed to contain petrol at the synagogue building.
Police Investigation and Community Response
The Metropolitan Police are actively hunting for two suspects who were seen wearing dark clothing and balaclavas during the attack. According to officers, neither bottle ignited, and a brick was also thrown at the building, but no damage or injuries were reported. The force is treating the incident as an attempted hate crime, with detectives from the Met's North West Command Unit leading the investigation, supported by specialist officers from Counter Terrorism Policing London.
Cantor Jacobs emphasised that the community "will not be deterred by these cowardly acts" and instead will focus on building bridges across the wider Barnet community. At the scene, forensic officers inspected a green-topped wine bottle with a blue rag, identified as a bottle of I Heart Sauvignon Blanc, found outside the synagogue behind a police cordon.
Heightened Security and Wider Concerns
Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing in the area, acknowledged the significant concern this incident will cause, especially following a previous arson attack in Golders Green last month. He reassured the community that police are taking the matter extremely seriously, with a heightened presence planned over the coming days. Williams urged anyone with CCTV, dashcam footage, or information to contact the police under reference 1685/15APR or reach out to Crimestoppers.
Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Josh Levy, co-leaders of the Movement for Progressive Judaism, which includes Finchley Reform Synagogue, stated that this incident is part of a wider rise in antisemitism affecting Jewish communities across the country. They pledged to continue working with police and the Community Security Trust (CST) to prioritise safety, resilience, and confidence for all communities.
No arrests have been made so far, and the investigation remains ongoing as authorities appeal for witnesses and evidence to identify the suspects involved in this alarming act of intimidation.
