The Metropolitan Police commissioner has said it is “too early” to attribute Monday’s arson attack on Jewish community ambulances in Golders Green to the Iranian state, despite investigating possible links to an Islamist group with alleged Iranian state connections. The attack, which targeted vehicles belonging to the volunteer ambulance service Hatzola, is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime but not as terrorism.
Speaking at the annual dinner of the Community Security Trust (CST), Sir Mark Rowley said the “rapid growth in recent years of Iranian state threats is grave”, but that it was for the counter-terrorism investigation to determine responsibility. He noted that three suspects were believed to be involved and that police were pursuing all lines of inquiry, including an online claim of responsibility by a group called Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, which has claimed other attacks across Europe and has potential Iranian state links.
CCTV footage showed three hooded individuals pouring accelerant on the ambulances before setting them alight and fleeing. Gas canisters in the vehicles exploded, causing nearby homes to be evacuated as a precaution. No injuries were reported, but residents described being woken by loud explosions that blew out windows, including those of a nearby synagogue.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the “horrific antisemitic attack” and called for communities to stand together. Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis described the targeting of the volunteer service as “particularly sickening”. Later on Monday, more than 250 people attended a rally against antisemitism in Golders Green, waving Israeli flags and chanting slogans.
Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams said investigators were aware of the group’s apparent claim of responsibility but had not yet verified it. Counter Terrorism Police are leading the investigation and have appealed for anyone with footage to come forward.
