Four ambulances owned by a Jewish charity were deliberately set on fire in London early Monday in what authorities are treating as an antisemitic hate crime. Police are investigating a claim of responsibility from a group allegedly linked to Iran to determine its authenticity.
Although not labeled a terrorist act, counterterror officials are leading the inquiry. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the nighttime incident, which caused significant damage to the vehicles and nearby residences.
London’s Metropolitan Police Chief, Mark Rowley, stated that they are exploring all leads, including an online assertion by an Islamist group with purported connections to Iran, which has claimed similar attacks in Europe.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer denounced the attack as “horrific,” emphasizing the need for unity against antisemitism. He met with Jewish community leaders to discuss the incident at 10 Downing Street.
The incident occurred in Golders Green, a neighborhood in north London with a sizable Jewish population. The ambulances belonged to Hatzola Northwest, a volunteer emergency medical service, and were destroyed in the arson attack, causing oxygen cylinders to explode and nearby homes to be evacuated as a safety precaution.
Authorities are searching for three suspects seen in security footage approaching the ambulances with a canister before the fire erupted. No arrests have been made yet in connection with the incident.
Although a video posted on Telegram by an Islamist group claimed responsibility for the attack, attributing it to Iran is premature, according to Chief Rowley. The incident has instilled fear and concern in the UK’s Jewish community, which has faced an increase in antisemitic incidents in recent years.
The surge in antisemitic incidents in the UK has been linked to events such as the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and subsequent conflicts. The Community Security Trust reported a significant rise in incidents, from 1,662 in 2022 to 3,700 in 2025.
Increased security measures are being implemented for Jewish institutions in anticipation of the upcoming Passover holiday. Criticism has been directed at the government for not doing enough to prevent anti-Jewish sentiments from escalating during pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
Various religious and political figures have condemned the attack, with Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis denouncing it as a “sickening assault.” Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally emphasized that such acts of violence and intimidation have no place in society.