London: Antisemitic Attack on Jewish Ambulance Service Condemned

Four ambulances operated by the Jewish volunteer medical service Hatzola were set ablaze in the Golders Green area of northwest London in the early hours of Monday morning, prompting condemnation from Prime Minister Keir Starmer and a police investigation into what is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime.

Metropolitan Police officers responded to reports of a fire on Highfield Road at approximately 1:45 am. CCTV footage, shared widely online, shows three individuals allegedly setting fire to an ambulance, according to authorities. No injuries were reported, but several gas canisters on board the vehicles exploded, causing damage to nearby properties and necessitating the evacuation of residents. Road closures remained in place as of Monday afternoon.

“This is a horrific antisemitic attack,” Starmer said, adding that he had been in contact with Jewish community leaders. “Antisemitism has no place in our society and it’s really vital that we all stand together at a moment like this.” He affirmed his commitment to continued dialogue with community leaders throughout the day.

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis described the attack as “a particularly sickening assault – not only on the Jewish community, but on the values we share as a society.” He emphasized the vital role Hatzola plays in providing free medical transportation and emergency response to all residents of North London, regardless of faith. “The targeting of Hatzola by people so committed to terror, hatred and the desecration of life is a most painful illustration of the ongoing battle between those who sanctify life and those who seek to destroy it,” he stated.

Superintendent Sarah Jackson, leading the police investigation, stated, “We know this incident will cause a great deal of community concern and officers remain on scene to carry out urgent inquiries. We are in the process of examining CCTV and are aware of online footage. We believe we are looking for three suspects at this early stage.” Jackson urged anyone with information to come forward, assuring potential witnesses they could report anonymously. She confirmed increased police patrols in the area to provide reassurance.

Hatzola, established in 1979, relies entirely on volunteers. Despite the attack, the charity confirmed its northwest London facility remained fully operational. Damon Hoff, president of the Machzike Hadath Synagogue, where the ambulances were parked, expressed a sense of vulnerability within the community. “When you attack a place of worship and you attack ambulances, you’re going for the exceptionally heart and core of what’s decent about this country,” he said.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan condemned the incident as a “cowardly attack on the Jewish community,” stating that Londoners “will never be cowed by this kind of hatred and intimidation.” Local councilors Peter Zinkin and Dean Cohen echoed these sentiments, describing the attack as “despicable” and a “recent low.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury too condemned the “appalling antisemitic attack,” and the British Medical Association (BMA) criticized the deliberate targeting of healthcare services as “reprehensible.”

Investigators have not yet determined if the attack was inspired by a specific group, and the investigation remains ongoing. Police have not made any arrests.