Three Hooded Individuals Allegedly Ignite Ambulances Outside Golders Green Synagogue, Prompting Antisemitic Hate Crime Investigation

In a distressing incident this morning, four Jewish volunteer ambulances were set ablaze outside a synagogue in London, sparking concerns of an antisemitic hate crime. The attack has been strongly condemned by Labour leader Keir Starmer.

Law enforcement officials have launched an investigation into the arson attack, which targeted vehicles belonging to the Jewish Community Ambulance service. The incident occurred late at night, raising alarms about the safety of community resources.

Emergency services responded swiftly, with six fire engines and 40 firefighters dispatched to Highfield Road near the Mchzike Hadath synagogue in Golders Green. The crews arrived at approximately 1:45 a.m. to extinguish the raging fires. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries.

Security camera footage circulating on social media captures a troubling scene where three hooded individuals approach one of the parked ambulances, which subsequently bursts into flames. The suspects are then seen fleeing the scene.

Additional footage reveals the ambulances engulfed in fire, accompanied by several loud explosions echoing through the night. The incident has raised serious concerns within the community and beyond.

Such was the force of the blasts, believed to be gas canisters onboard the Hatzola ambulances, they caused windows to break in a nearby block of flats. 

The Prime Minister said the incident was ‘deeply shocking’, while the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, described it as a ‘cowardly attack on the Jewish community’. 

Sir Keir Starmer said: ‘This is a deeply shocking antisemitic arson attack. 

‘My thoughts are with the Jewish community who are waking up this morning to this horrific news. 

‘Antisemitism has no place in our society. Anyone with any information must come forward to the police.’

The vehicles were part of a non-profit volunteer Jewish organisation, which provides a 24/7 emergency service to the community for free. 

Three hooded suspects were seen approaching the emergency vehicles before they were set alight

Four ambulances were set on fire in the Jewish community of Golders Green in London

Aerial footage shows the aftermath of the blaze, where three of the ambulances have been completely destroyed

Three of the community ambulances were left in pieces and burned out after fires triggered explosions inside the vehicles

Around 40 firefighters were called after multiple cylinders on the vehicles exploded 

Residents in the area were evacuated as a precaution and roads in the surrounding area remain closed.

Hatzola, which was established in 1979 and is run by volunteers, provides free medical transportation to those living in North London. 

Seeking to reassure Londoners on Monday, Sir Sadiq Khan said: ‘This is a cowardly attack on the Jewish community. 

‘I am in close contact with the police who are stepping up patrols in the area, and I urge anyone with information to come forward. 

‘Londoners will never be cowed by this kind of hatred and intimidation.’

Superintendent Sarah Jackson, said: ‘We know this incident will cause a great deal of community concern and officers remain on scene to carry out urgent enquiries.

‘We are in the process of examining CCTV and are aware of online footage. We believe we are looking for three suspects at this early stage.

‘There have been no arrests yet, and we would urge anyone with information to please contact us as soon as possible – you can do so anonymously if you wish.

‘We will be engaging with faith leaders and carrying out additional patrols in the local area as we continue our investigation to provide reassurance and a highly visible presence.’

Health Secretary Wes Streeting described the fire as a ‘sickening attack’, in a statement on social media.

He added: ‘Thank goodness there appear to be no injuries.  Anyone with information should come forward to the Police.  We must stand together against antisemitic hatred.’

Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis said in a statement on X: ‘The deliberate arson attacks against Hatzola ambulances in London are a particularly sickening assault – not only on the Jewish community, but on the values we share as a society.

‘Our Hatzola volunteer ambulance corps is an extraordinary service, whose sole mission is to protect life, Jewish and non-Jewish alike.

‘The targeting of Hatzola by people so committed to terror, hatred and the desecration of life is a most painful illustration of the ongoing battle between those who sanctify life and those who seek to destroy it.

‘At a time when Jewish communities around the world are facing a growing pattern of these violent attacks, we will meet this moment with shared resolve and stand together against hatred and intimidation.’

Community Security Trust (CST), a charity which monitors antisemitism in the UK, confirmed in a statement on X that it was assisting police in their enquiries.

The statement said: ‘We are aware of multiple Hatzola ambulances that have been deliberately set alight in London.

‘This has obvious comparison to similar antisemitic arson attacks recently in Belgium and the Netherlands.

‘No injuries have been reported at this time and we are helping MPSBarnet with their enquiries.’

The suspects were seen on CCTV running away from the scene on foot 

The area was cordoned off by police while 40 firefighters responded to the blaze 

Firefighters pictured on the scene in Golders Green London after an arson attack on four vehicles

Shomrim, a non-profit organisation which operates a neighbourhood watch in the Golders Green neighbourhood, said it was ‘aware of loud explosions’ early on Monday morning.

‘Emergency services are on scene following a deliberate incident involving Hatzola ambulances being set alight,’ the group said in a post on X.

‘The explosions were caused by oxygen tanks not a bomb or explosive device. Although some buildings have been evacuated no casualties have been reported.

‘Please avoid the area while investigations continue.’

Shomrim said the facility run by Hatzola remained fully operational following the fire.

Golders Green ward councillor Dean Cohen, who was at the scene, told Jewish News that the fact the incident was taking place in the ‘car park of a synagogue is particularly chilling and will send shockwaves through our community at a time of already heightened fears over antisemitism in the UK’.

He said: ‘It’s beyond time for the authorities to wake and do more to tackle this hate running riot.’

Peter Zinkin, who represents the Golders Green ward on Barnet Council, said his initial response was ‘shock and horror’, but said the second response was a ‘deep and overwhelming sadness that this has happened’.

He added: ‘You have to ask yourself, why is this happening? And the answer, tragically, is that a combination of circumstances, led by part of the Government and part of the media, has validated antisemitism in this country, to the point that three individuals have concluded that it’s okay to set ambulances, whose sole purpose, is life-saving or life helping, funded by the local community, alight.’

Councillor Zinkin, who is the Tory group leader on the council, added: ‘We will be doing everything we can to encourage the police, and of course, our own Community Security Trust, to recognise the elevated level of threat that we now seem to be under, and to increase the level of security, which the community is sheltering behind, which is just terrible. Just terrible.’

Local resident and councillor Shimon Ryde told the BBC: ‘It’s very shocking, it’s not unexpected.

‘The Jewish community is very aware of the danger we live in.’

Housing minister Matthew Pennycook said the apparent arson attack on ambulances in Golders Green, north London, was ‘deeply shocking’.

When asked whether there was a concern it could be a pro-Iranian attack, Mr Pennycook said: ‘I’m sure the security services will be looking into that, and the Met will be investigating. I’m very reluctant to get ahead of what is still a live investigation.’

Board of Deputies of British Jews President Phil Rosenberg said the attack on Hatzola Jewish community ambulances was ‘despicable’.

Phil said: ‘Ambulances, like those of the wonderful Hatzola organisation, point to the Jewish obligation to “choose life”.

‘By contrast, the despicable individuals who committed an arson attack on ambulances in Golders Green this morning show the emptiness of their cause.

‘While the motives are unclear at this stage, this attack comes in the context of rising antisemitism around the world. This is a threat not just to the Jewish community but to our societies as a whole.

‘We thank the emergency services, the Community Security Trust, Shomrim and Hatzola for their rapid response and their work to keep us safe every day. We urge the public to support the police in finding the perpetrators and bringing them to justice.

‘The UK Jewish community will meet the moment with strength, pride and resolve. We will replace the ambulances and continue our service to this nation that we love.

‘We shall not be moved.’