The chief rabbi has condemned a 'sustained campaign of violence and intimidation' against British Jews after an attempted arson attack on a synagogue in north-west London. The incident at Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow on Saturday night caused minor smoke damage but no injuries, according to the Community Security Trust.
Police cordoned off the area and deployed forensic teams, fire investigation dogs, and multiple officers. The Metropolitan Police is investigating whether the attack, along with others on Jewish sites in Finchley and Hendon this week, was carried out by Iranian proxies, a senior counter-terrorism officer said.
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said on X: 'Last night yet another synagogue, this time in Kenton, was targeted in a cowardly arson attack. A sustained campaign of violence and intimidation against the Jewish community of the UK is gathering momentum.' He added that no lives have been lost but warned that society must not wait for that to change.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was 'appalled' by the attacks, calling them 'abhorrent' and vowing increased visible policing. Saul Taylor, president of the synagogue, urged Starmer to declare 'an epidemic of anti-Jewish hate'.
Counter Terrorism Policing London is leading the investigation due to similar circumstances and online claims of responsibility by the group Ashab al-Yamin. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans said the group has claimed incidents across Europe targeting Jewish or Israeli interests.
