Synagogue 'firebombed' in London as Jewish community rocked by fourth 'attack' in a month

Synagogue Targeted in "Terrifying Spate" of Attacks on Jewish Community

A northwest London synagogue became the latest target in a disturbing series of arson attacks against the Jewish community, raising serious concerns about rising antisemitism and the safety of religious institutions. Kenton United Synagogue, located in Harrow, was reportedly firebombed on Saturday night, marking the fourth attempted bombing on Jewish sites within a single month.

The incident saw an incendiary device hurled at the building. While initial reports suggested a window in a medical room had been smashed, causing internal damage, a spokesperson for the Community Security Trust (CST) later clarified that the attack resulted in only "minor smoke damage" to an internal room. Crucially, there were no injuries reported, and no significant structural damage was sustained by the synagogue.

Police were alerted to the scene in the early hours of Sunday morning, with flashing blue lights illuminating Shaftesbury Avenue in Kenton. A cordon was established around the synagogue, and forensic teams were seen working to gather evidence. The Metropolitan Police have since increased their resources in northwest London in response to the escalating series of incidents.

A Pattern of Violence and Intimidation

This attack on Kenton United Synagogue follows a string of similar assaults on Jewish community sites. Just days earlier, on Wednesday, an attack occurred in Finchley, and on Friday night, an attempted bombing targeted the Jewish Futures building in Hendon. This pattern of violence has led to widespread alarm.

Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis condemned the "cowardly arson attack" on the Kenton synagogue, highlighting the alarming frequency of these assaults. "It follows the attack in Finchley on Wednesday and the attempted attack on what was the Jewish Futures building in Hendon on Friday night, making three Jewish sites attacked in London in less than a week," he stated.

The Chief Rabbi expressed deep concern over what he described as a "sustained campaign of violence and intimidation against the Jewish community of the UK." He emphasised that such attacks on the community's ability to worship and live in safety are an assault on the fundamental values that unite society. "Thank God, no lives have been lost, but we cannot, and must not, wait for that to change before we understand just how dangerous this moment is for all of our society," he urged.

Calls for Stronger Action Against Antisemitism

The Campaign Against Antisemitism labelled the incident as part of a "terrifying spate of daily arson attacks on the Jewish community," with a spokesperson declaring that "Britain is fundamentally a different country now." The group criticised what they perceive as a "cataclysmic failure of the state" in tackling antisemitic extremism, which they claim has gone largely unchecked for over two and a half years.

The organisation also pointed to the government's stance on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), suggesting that a failure to proscribe the group, which they believe is involved in foreign radicalisation and interference, is a critical oversight. "It is shocking that concern for the sensitivities of a violent Iranian regime is more important to the Government than the welfare of Jewish people in this country," a spokesperson for the Campaign Against Antisemitism stated.

Previous Incidents and Ongoing Investigations

The attack on Kenton United Synagogue is the latest in a series of concerning events:

• Hendon Attack: Police were called to reports of an arson attack in Hendon on Friday night. A man was observed placing a bag containing three bottles filled with fluid next to a building and then igniting them. The bottles failed to fully ignite, and the man fled the scene. Minor damage was caused to the shopfront, and no injuries were reported. Counter Terrorism Policing London is leading the investigation, though it is not currently being treated as a terrorist incident.
• Finchley Attack: On Tuesday night, two balaclava-clad suspects reportedly threw bottles, believed to contain petrol, and a brick at Finchley Reform Synagogue. This incident is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime.
• Golders Green Incident: Weeks prior, on March 23, four Hatzola ambulances were firebombed outside a synagogue in Golders Green. The explosions caused gas canisters within the ambulances to detonate. Three individuals – Hamza Iqbal (20), Rehan Khan (19), and a 17-year-old boy – have since been charged with arson, with their actions described as reckless as to whether life would be endangered.

The Metropolitan Police have confirmed an increased presence of uniformed and plain-clothed officers in northwest London, alongside armed response vehicles and Counter Terrorism Policing resources, to help prevent and deter further criminal activity.

The Community Security Trust (CST) has thanked the Met Police, London Fire Brigade, and their own teams for their rapid response and ongoing efforts to protect the Jewish community during this "unprecedented period." They are supporting the affected locations and collaborating closely with police in their investigations. The CST urges the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity immediately to the police on 999, followed by reporting to the CST.