Golders Green Ambulance Arson Highlights Rising Antisemitism in UK
An arson attack on four ambulances in Golders Green, north London, has been condemned as a horrific antisemitic act by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of March 23, targeted vehicles operated by the charity Hatzola, meaning "rescue" in Hebrew, serving both Jewish and non-Jewish residents.
Community in Shock After Attack
The attack has intensified anxieties among British Jews, who are still recovering from the deadly assault on Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester during Yom Kippur in October 2025. That tragedy claimed two lives, and the recent arson is part of a disturbing international pattern of antisemitism, with incidents reported in Norway, the United States, and the Netherlands in recent weeks.
Gas canisters stored inside the ambulances exploded after the vehicles were set ablaze, causing significant damage and highlighting the severity of the attack. Counter-terrorism police are investigating potential links to Iran-affiliated groups, with the terror organisation Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya claiming responsibility for this and other attacks across Europe.
Historical Roots of Antisemitism in Golders Green
Golders Green has been a focal point for Jewish settlement since the First World War, evolving from a handful of Jewish households in 1910 to approximately 300 by 1915. The community expanded post-war, with the opening of the first synagogue on Dunstan Road in 1922. Today, around 8,000 Jewish residents make up about 40% of the suburb's population.
"Before 1910 there was just a handful of Jews living in the community, but by 1915 ... there were 300 households," notes social historian Pam Fox, who has studied Golders Green's Jewish history.
Diversity and Resilience of the Jewish Community
The Jewish population in Golders Green is remarkably diverse, encompassing orthodox, reform, and secular traditions. In the 1930s, refugees from Nazism introduced new forms of worship, and by World War II, over 14,000 Jewish refugees resided in north-west London, including Golders Green. Post-war influxes included Jews from Egypt, Hungary, South Africa, and eastern Europe.
Despite this vibrant cultural and religious life, antisemitism has persisted, from the organised hatred of Oswald Mosley's British Union of Fascists in the 1930s to more casual prejudices. In 1945, the Hampstead Petition Movement sought to remove foreign Jews from the area, reflecting local tensions.
Modern Challenges and Solidarity
Today, Golders Green is often mischaracterised as a solely Jewish suburb, overlooking its diverse demographics and the varied Jewish identities within it. The ambulance attack ignores the universal service provided by Hatzola, which benefits all residents regardless of background.
Local Jewish resident Sam Adler described the attacks as "cynical and cowardly," echoing community sentiments. However, the incident has also fostered solidarity, bringing together residents in resistance against antisemitism, much like the response following the Manchester synagogue attack.
This wave of hostility underscores the complex blend of domestic and foreign-inspired hatred facing UK Jews, rooted in historical prejudices but amplified by contemporary global tensions.
