North London Synagogue Firebombed in Fourth Attack on Jewish Sites in a Month
A synagogue in northwest London has been firebombed, marking the fourth attempted arson attack on Jewish sites within a single month. The incident at Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow occurred on Saturday night, adding to what community leaders describe as a terrifying spate of daily arson attacks targeting the Jewish community across the capital.
Police and Fire Crews Respond to Harrow Incident
Video footage from the scene shows flashing blue lights from police cars blocking the road, with fire crews also present. A cordon was established outside the synagogue on Shaftesbury Avenue in Kenton in the early hours of Sunday morning and remains in place as forensics teams conduct their investigation.
Initial reports indicated that an incendiary device smashed a medical room window, causing internal damage. However, authorities later confirmed that the attack resulted only in minor smoke damage to an internal room, with no significant structural damage to the synagogue building. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported.
Community Security Trust and Chief Rabbi Express Grave Concerns
A spokesperson for the Community Security Trust (CST) stated, "We are aware of another attempted arson, this time targeting a synagogue in north London, following similar recent incidents targeting the Jewish community in Finchley, Golders Green, and Hendon." The CST praised the rapid response of the Metropolitan Police, London Fire Brigade, and their own teams, urging vigilance and immediate reporting of suspicious activity to police and CST.
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis condemned the attack, noting, "Last night yet another synagogue, this time in Kenton, was targeted in a cowardly arson attack." He highlighted that this follows attacks in Finchley on Wednesday and an attempted attack in Hendon on Friday night, making three Jewish sites attacked in London in less than a week. Mirvis warned of a sustained campaign of violence and intimidation against the UK's Jewish community, emphasizing the threat to societal values.
Campaign Against Antisemitism Criticises Government Response
The Campaign Against Antisemitism described the incident as part of a "terrifying spate of daily arson attacks on the Jewish community." A spokesperson criticised what they called a cataclysmic failure of the state to tackle antisemitic extremism, which they claim has gone unchecked for over two years. The group also accused the Government of prioritising sensitivities towards Iran over the welfare of Jewish people in the UK, citing the refusal to proscribe the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Context of Recent Attacks and Islamist Claims
This attack comes after arsonists targeted a Jewish business on Friday. The same Islamist group that launched drones at the Israeli Embassy on Friday has claimed responsibility for that attack, posting a video on Telegram showing a person setting a bag alight outside a building. Police were called at 10:31 PM on Saturday to reports of the arson attack in Hendon, North West London.
The Daily Mail has approached the Metropolitan Police and London Fire Brigade for further comment on these escalating incidents.
