UK police investigate connections between Iran and arson attacks on Jewish sites
British police announced they are looking into potential connections to Iran regarding a series of arson attacks on Jewish targets in London. The UK chief rabbi indicated that the incident reflects a growing campaign of violence against the Jewish community.
UK counter-terrorism police announced that they are leading the investigations into the recent attack at Kenton United Synagogue in the Harrow area of the city, which occurred shortly after midnight and marked the third incident within a week.
A pro-Iranian government group, which claims responsibility for a series of attacks targeting U.S., Israeli, and Jewish sites across Europe, has made a statement regarding its involvement. “As the conflict in the Middle East continues to evolve, counter-terrorism policing and our partners remain vigilant to the threat of Iranian hostile activity in the UK,” Vicki Evans, Britain’s senior national coordinator for counter-terrorism policing, informed reporters. “We are aware of public reporting suggesting that this group may have connections to Iran.” As anticipated, we will persist in examining that question as our investigation progresses.
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis stated that the Kenton fire, which resulted in no significant damage, marked the third “cowardly” attack on Jewish sites in the British capital within a span of less than a week.
“A continuous campaign of violence and intimidation directed at the Jewish community in the UK is gaining traction,” Mirvis stated on X. We are thankful that no one died, but we must not delay in recognizing the serious dangers this moment poses to our society.
On Friday night, an attempted arson attack occurred at a business premises associated with the Jewish community. Just a few days prior, police apprehended two suspects in connection with another attempted arson attack on a synagogue in the capital.
In the meantime, a section surrounding the Israeli embassy in London was sealed off after an online report indicated that it had been targeted by drones carrying “dangerous substances.” Authorities later stated that the items discovered did not include any harmful or hazardous substances.
In the previous month, multiple ambulances associated with the Jewish volunteer emergency service Hatzola, stationed near a synagogue in Golders Green, were set ablaze.
Authorities reported an increased presence in the vicinity, with officers conducting a “deterrence” patrol shortly after midnight who observed that a window at the Kenton synagogue had been damaged. They discovered that an accelerant had been thrown inside.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his deep dismay regarding the attempted antisemitic arson attacks. “This behavior is unacceptable and will not be allowed.” He stated on X, “Attacks on our Jewish community are attacks on Britain.”
A pro-Iranian group has taken responsibility.
The Pro-Iranian group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiyya (HAYI), also known as the Movement of the Companions of the Right Hand of Islam, has claimed responsibility and shared a video on social media that allegedly depicts the attack on the Kenton synagogue.
“This same group has reported multiple incidents recently at places of worship, businesses, and financial institutions throughout Europe,” Evans stated. “These locations seem to be connected to Jewish or Israeli interests.”
For several years, British police and security services have issued warnings regarding Iran’s employment of proxies to execute attacks on its behalf. Tehran tasked two men last month with conducting hostile surveillance on the Israeli Embassy and other Jewish targets. “The regime is recruiting violence as a service, and the people who conduct that violence often have little or no allegiance to the cause and are taking quick cash for their crimes,” Evans said.
