British counterterrorism investigators are examining an arson incident at a former synagogue in London as Prime Minister Keir Starmer convened emergency discussions with Jewish community leaders about escalating antisemitic violence across the nation.
The attack occurred Tuesday at the former house of worship in east London’s Whitechapel district, where flames damaged entrance gates and a front lock, though no injuries were reported, according to Metropolitan Police officials.
This incident marks the most recent in a series of attacks targeting Jewish sites since March, when four ambulances belonging to a Jewish charity were set ablaze. Additional incidents have included a synagogue bombing and multiple attempted arsons at Jewish facilities. The violence escalated last week when two Jewish men were stabbed in what authorities classified as terrorism.
“It is part of a pattern of rising antisemitism that has left our Jewish communities feeling frightened, angry, and asking whether this country, their home, is safe for them,” Starmer told community leaders. “These disgusting attacks are being made against British Jews. But, make no mistake, this crisis — it is a crisis for all of us.”
Antisemitic incidents across Britain have dramatically increased since Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, and the ensuing Gaza conflict began, data from the Community Security Trust charity shows. The organization documented 3,700 incidents in 2025, a sharp rise from 1,662 recorded in 2022.
The recent surge in attacks has coincided with the Iran war that began February 28, prompting investigators to examine possible connections to Iranian operatives.
A pro-Iranian organization identifying itself as Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia — the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right — has taken credit for multiple attacks. The group has also acknowledged responsibility for recent incidents targeting religious sites, businesses and financial institutions throughout Europe that appear connected to Jewish or Israeli interests.
“One of the lines of inquiry is whether a foreign state has been behind some of these incidents,” Starmer said. “Our message to Iran, or to any other country that might seek to foment violence, hatred or division in society, is that it will not be tolerated.”
Starmer outlined new measures to combat antisemitism, including mandating universities disclose the extent of antisemitic incidents on their campuses and implement prevention strategies. Arts organizations promoting antisemitism will lose government funding.
Following the stabbing attack, Britain elevated its terrorism threat level from substantial to severe — the second-highest designation on its five-tier system. This rating indicates intelligence services believe an attack is highly probable within six months.
Officials said the threat level increase reflects concerns beyond the knife attack, citing “Islamist and extreme right-wing terrorist threat from individuals and small groups based in the U.K.”
