LONDON – Jewish community security officials report that a north London synagogue has been targeted in what appears to be part of an escalating series of arson attempts against Jewish facilities throughout Britain’s capital city.
The Community Security Trust, which handles security matters for Britain’s Jewish population, confirmed the incident in a Sunday statement. “We are aware of another attempted arson, this time targeting a synagogue in north London, following similar recent incidents targeting the Jewish community in Finchley, Golders Green and Hendon,” the organization announced.
“On this occasion there was minor smoke damage to an internal room, but there were no injuries and no significant structural damage,” the trust added.
London police have not yet issued a statement regarding the incident at Kenton United Synagogue.
The attack follows Friday evening’s attempted arson at a Jewish-connected business, and comes after police detained two individuals suspected in another synagogue arson attempt earlier in the week.
Security concerns have also extended to diplomatic facilities, with authorities establishing a security perimeter around London’s Israeli embassy after online reports claimed it was attacked by drones carrying “dangerous substances.” Police later determined that recovered materials posed no threat.
Last month, attackers burned several ambulances owned by Hatzola, a Jewish volunteer emergency service, while the vehicles were stationed near a Golders Green synagogue.
Britain’s Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis expressed alarm about the pattern of incidents. “Last night yet another synagogue, this time in Kenton, was targeted in a cowardly arson attack,” Mirvis wrote on X. “A sustained campaign of violence and intimidation against the Jewish community of the UK is gathering momentum.”
A pro-Iranian organization calling itself Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiyya, or Movement of the Companions of the Right Hand of Islam, has taken credit for most of these incidents. The group posted claims about the Kenton attack on social media, along with video footage allegedly showing the incident.
The same organization has declared responsibility for various attacks on American, Israeli and Jewish targets throughout Europe.
Law enforcement officials announced Saturday they have increased patrols in affected areas, deploying armed response units and counter-terrorism personnel.
Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who oversees policing in the region, acknowledged community concerns. “We recognise the feeling of concern among local people and do not underestimate the impact of incidents of this nature – particularly our Jewish communities,” Williams stated.
“We continue to work with our colleagues from Counter Terrorism Policing who are leading the investigations into all of these incidents due to the similar circumstances and online claims of responsibility,” he added.
