The Metropolitan Police in the United Kingdom have launched an investigation into a string of arson attacks on Jewish sites in North London, amid concerns the incidents may be linked to Iranian-backed proxies.
Counter Terrorism Policing is leading the probe, the Met Police confirmed on Sunday, following an overnight fire at the Kenton United Synagogue in northwestern London.
Authorities said no injuries have been recorded in the attacks, with the latest blaze causing only minor damage.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans disclosed that most of the incidents have been claimed by a group known as Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, also referred to as Ashab al-Yamin.
According to Evans, the group has in recent months claimed responsibility for attacks on places of worship, as well as business and financial institutions across Europe.
She noted that police are aware of “public reporting that this group may have links to Iran,” adding that authorities are examining whether Tehran’s alleged tactic of using criminal proxies, described as “recruiting violence as a service”, is being deployed in London.
The group, which surfaced online in March, has also claimed responsibility for an attack on the Iran International in London.
Recent incidents include an attempt to set fire to the Finchley Reform Synagogue using a bottle filled with accelerant, as well as the torching of Jewish-owned Hatzola ambulances in a synagogue car park in Golders Green on March 23. In another case, a man attempted to ignite a bag containing flammable liquid outside the former premises of the Jewish Futures charity in Hendon.
Reacting to the attacks, the UK’s Chief Rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, described the Kenton incident as the third “cowardly” assault on Jewish sites in the capital within a week.
“A sustained campaign of violence and intimidation against the Jewish community of the UK is gathering momentum,” Mirvis said on X. “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.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer also condemned the attacks, saying he was “appalled” and assuring that those responsible would be brought to justice.
“This is abhorrent and it will not be tolerated. Attacks on our Jewish community are attacks on Britain,” he said in a post on X.
