Suspect Arrested After Stabbing Two Jewish People in London
British police arrested a 45-year-old man after two Jewish people were stabbed in Golders Green, north London. The incident is the latest in a series of anti-Semitic attacks, including arson targeting synagogues and community sites. Prime Minister Starmer and Mayor Khan condemned the attack, and police have arrested 26 people in connection with related incidents.
British police have arrested a man after two Jewish people were stabbed in north London, according to information from Jewish groups, following a series of arson attacks targeting Jewish sites in the area.
The 45-year-old man was arrested after being seen running with a knife "attempting to stab Jewish members of the public," the neighborhood watch group Shomrim said Wednesday on social media.
The group added that the two stabbing victims were being treated by Hatzola, a Jewish volunteer ambulance service.
The incident occurred in Golders Green, an area with a large Jewish community.
The Community Security Trust also reported the attack on social media.
"We are working closely with the police and urge anyone with information to contact police, Shomrim, and CST immediately," the charity said. The organization specializes in providing safety advice and protection for Jewish groups and buildings such as synagogues.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the stabbing as "very concerning."
Starmer told lawmakers in parliament that a police investigation was underway and that "we all need... to be absolutely clear in our determination to tackle any crime, as we have seen too much of recently."
London Mayor Sadiq Khan condemned the attack.
"There has been a horrific attack targeting two Jewish Londoners in Golders Green. Police have arrested a man and I want to thank all emergency services and heroic volunteers... for their swift response," Khan said in a social media post.
"The Jewish community in London has been targeted by a series of shocking anti-Semitic attacks. There must be no place for anti-Semitism in our society," he added.
The incident follows a series of arson attacks targeting synagogues and community sites in north London in recent weeks.
The first attack in late March destroyed four Hatzola ambulances.
Other incidents followed, including an attack on Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow as well as a Jewish charity facility.
Last week, Finchley Reform Synagogue was targeted.
Police have arrested 26 people in connection with the various attacks, which have been carried out since the start of the US-Israel war on Iran on February 28.
Many incidents have been claimed by a little-known group believed to be linked to Iran, called Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya (HAYI), which means the Islamic Movement of the Right-Handed People.