A series of suspected arson attacks targeting Jewish sites in north-west London is raising concern among community leaders and authorities, with the UK’s Chief Rabbi warning that violence against the Jewish community is intensifying.

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The latest incident occurred overnight at Kenton United Synagogue, where police said a bottle containing an accelerant was thrown through a window, causing smoke damage inside the building. No injuries were reported.

Counter-terrorism officers from Metropolitan Police Service are investigating the attack alongside several similar incidents that have taken place across north-west London in recent weeks.

Community leaders and politicians have condemned the attacks, while police say those responsible could face prosecution under national security legislation.

Investigation into linked attacks

Authorities said the synagogue incident forms part of a wider investigation into multiple arson attacks targeting Jewish-linked locations.

Among the other incidents under examination are fires at Finchley Reform Synagogue and at a building used by a Jewish charity in Hendon. Ambulances belonging to a Jewish charity were also set alight in Golders Green last month.

Police are also examining an arson attack at a Persian-language media organisation.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans said investigators were considering whether the incidents were connected and noted that attacks had been claimed online by a group calling itself Ashab al-Yamin.

She said reports suggesting the group may have links to Iran were being assessed as part of the investigation.

Evans added that authorities were exploring whether criminal proxies had been recruited to carry out attacks in exchange for payment.

“This is recruiting violence as a service,” she said, warning that suspects identified could face severe penalties under the National Security Act.

Leaders condemn synagogue attack

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis described the Kenton incident as a “cowardly arson attack” and said recent events signalled a growing campaign of intimidation against Britain’s Jewish community.

Writing on social media, he said attacks on the community’s ability to worship safely represented a broader threat to the values of British society.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was “appalled” by the attack and pledged stronger security measures.

“Attacks on our Jewish community are attacks on Britain,” he said, adding that visible policing would be increased and those responsible would be brought to justice.

London’s mayor Sadiq Khan also condemned the incidents, saying there could be no justification for targeting Jewish residents or institutions.

Community response

The synagogue’s rabbi, Yehuda Black, said the incendiary object had been thrown into the building’s medical room.

He said the attack was distressing for the congregation, describing the synagogue as an important place of worship and community life.

The building has been temporarily closed following the incident but is expected to reopen within a few days.

Security organisation Community Security Trust said it was working closely with police while supporting those affected.

Meanwhile, Campaign Against Antisemitism warned that the incidents appeared to be forming a worrying pattern of repeated attacks.

Police have increased patrols across north-west London, deploying additional officers along with armed and counter-terrorism units in an effort to deter further incidents and reassure local communities.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 20 April 2026

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A result of zillions of muslims in England. Eventually will form their own political party and take over this weak, naive country.

Rabbi the world is getting sick and tired of Jews and Israel.

What do you expect when Israel keeps doing what it is doing in Gaza and other areas of the middle east.

To the world Jews are nothing but a bunch of murdering, thieving bunch of thugs.

'Reap what you sow' comes to mind regarding Isralies.

7 minutes ago, jippytum said:

'Reap what you sow' comes to mind regarding Isralies.

which Israelis are you referring to ?

I didn't see any Israelis mentioned in the story

Import third world ideologies, get third world problems.

Britain swirls further down the toilet bowl.

In the meanwhile in Southern Lebanon, an IDF soldier shows what Greater Israel thinks about Christians. The IDF confirmed this is real, however, like the morons firebombing synagogues, they say this is a one-off. If antisemitism is on the rise, I guess that anti-Christian sentiment among Israelis is on the rise as well.

7 minutes ago, connda said:

In the meanwhile in Southern Lebanon, an IDF soldier shows what Greater Israel thinks about Christians.

Thats a Jew being beheaded :)

I’m sorry, but an attack on Jews is NOT an attack on Britain! No matter how much you’d like that to be true!

2 minutes ago, pacovl46 said:

I’m sorry, but an attack on Jews is NOT an attack on Britain! No matter how much you’d like that to be true!

Its an attack on British people in the UK .

18 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Its an attack on British people in the UK .

No people were attacked.

Stop lying.

3 hours ago, connda said:

In the meanwhile in Southern Lebanon, an IDF soldier shows what Greater Israel thinks about Christians. The IDF confirmed this is real, however, like the morons firebombing synagogues, they say this is a one-off. If antisemitism is on the rise, I guess that anti-Christian sentiment among Israelis is on the rise as well.

The most moral army in the world eh? @Evil Penevil

3 hours ago, Packer said:

No people were attacked.

Stop lying.

I did mean an attack on the people that use the Synagogue , rather than an attack on people themselves .

1 hour ago, JBChiangRai said:

The most moral army in the world eh? @Evil Penevil

Which army has an exemplary record where none of its members has ever misbehaved ?

None .

1 hour ago, JBChiangRai said:

The most moral army in the world eh? @Evil Penevil

The actions of one rogue soldier don't change the overall situation. The smashing of the Jesus figure has been condemned by Israel's Foreign Minister, who also apologized for the incident.

The soldier should be punished to the maximum extent allowed by IDF regulations and the IDF should restore the repaired sculpture to its proper location.

https://x.com/gidonsaar/status/2046098060590076132

On its official X account, the IDF stated, "The IDF views the incident with great severity and emphasizes that the soldier’s conduct is wholly inconsistent with the values expected of its troops."

It also said, "Appropriate measures will be taken against those involved in accordance with the findings.

"Furthermore, the IDF is working to assist the community in restoring the statue to its place."

https://x.com/IDF/status/2045973415643767091

3 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Its an attack on British people in the UK .

Yes, and that's not the same as an attack on Britain.

6 hours ago, jippytum said:

'Reap what you sow' comes to mind regarding Isralies.

What do Israelies (sic) have to do with Jews who worship in synagogues in the U.K. ? What did British Jews sow that they are now reaping?

3 hours ago, pacovl46 said:

I’m sorry, but an attack on Jews is NOT an attack on Britain! No matter how much you’d like that to be true!

In conventional usage, an attack on citizens of a nation is regarded as an attack on the nation, just as an attack on a synagogue is considered an attack on its members.

4 minutes ago, pacovl46 said:

Yes, and that's not the same as an attack on Britain.

What is the difference ?

14 minutes ago, Evil Penevil said:

What do Israelies (sic) have to do with Jews who worship in synagogues in the U.K. ? What did British Jews sow that they are now reaping?

In conventional usage, an attack on citizens of a nation is regarded as an attack on the nation, just as an attack on a synagogue is considered an attack on its members.

and an attack on Gazs would be?

1 hour ago, jippytum said:

and an attack on Gazs would be?

The IDF military actions against Hamas in Gaza were and are a response to the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas on Israelis in Israel. No doubt the Israeli government and IDF were and are trying to destroy Hamas to secure the lives of Israelis.

But what does that have to do with Jews in the U.K.?

2 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

What is the difference ?

One is an attack on some individual people in a given country and the other one is an attack on a country.

I can't belive I had to actually point this out to you!

23 minutes ago, Evil Penevil said:

The IDF military actions against Hamas in Gaza were and are a response to the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas on Israelis in Israel. No doubt the Israeli government and IDF were and are trying to destroy Hamas to secure the lives of Israelis.

But what does that have to do with Jews in the U.K.?

Absolutely nothing.

2 hours ago, Evil Penevil said:

What do Israelies (sic) have to do with Jews who worship in synagogues in the U.K. ? What did British Jews sow that they are now reaping?

In conventional usage, an attack on citizens of a nation is regarded as an attack on the nation, just as an attack on a synagogue is considered an attack on its members.

Ok, so If some skinheads attack some foreigners in a country it is an attack on that country in your opinion???

The attackers wanted to harm the Jews, not the UK and not any non jews, therefore it was an attack on jews and not the UK. It's so obvious, too!

6 hours ago, pacovl46 said:

I’m sorry, but an attack on Jews is NOT an attack on Britain! No matter how much you’d like that to be true!

Only if they convinced the British that they are the true Jews, the God's chosen people.

44 minutes ago, pacovl46 said:

One is an attack on some individual people in a given country and the other one is an attack on a country.

I can't belive I had to actually point this out to you!

if a foreign group attacks British people eon British soil , then its an attack on the UK .

British people being attacked in Britain is an attack on Britain

1 hour ago, Jeff the Chef said:

Absolutely nothing.

I totally agree. My comment came in response to a post that implied there was a connection between IDF actions and British Jews, namely this one:

10 hours ago, jippytum said:

'Reap what you sow' comes to mind regarding Isralies.

1 hour ago, pacovl46 said:

Ok, so If some skinheads attack some foreigners in a country it is an attack on that country in your opinion???

The attackers wanted to harm the Jews, not the UK and not any non jews, therefore it was an attack on jews and not the UK. It's so obvious, too!

British Jews are U.K. subjects, not foreigners. The families of some British Jews have lived in the U.K. for centuries. A synagogue in London or Manchester or any other location in the U.K. is a British place of worship, as are churches, temples, mosques and cathedrals anywhere in the U.K.

Some antisemitic troll posts have been removed.

An interesting opinion piece about what's needed to combat rising antisemitism in the U.K. Its appearance in The Guardian means it will come to the attention of the progressive left

I have seen how afraid Jews in Britain have become. We need our allies now more than ever

In the wake of recent attacks, I call on anti-racists to extend the same solidarity to Jews they would to other minorities subject to prejudice and violence

Jewish people in Britain are feeling afraid, isolated and, too often, ignored. In recent weeks I’ve been part of conversations where people have said they’re looking to leave the UK, or have already left, largely due to the rise in hatred and violence we face as Jews. I have spoken with parents nervous about their children securing a place in a Jewish school, hoping to protect them from the harassment and bullying experienced by too many Jewish pupils in secular schools.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/apr/20/jewish-people-britain-antisemitic-attacks-anti-racists-jews

@Evil Penevil I would prefer to see ONLY secular schools. My school was largely Christian but the Jewish boys had their own ceremony with a Rabbi whilst Christians had ours, which was complete nonsense of course.

I would prefer to see a complete ban on religious indoctrination of young impressionable minds, teach them religion when teenagers only.

Not specifically addressed to Jews, but I would also prefer to see a ban on male genital mutilation, at least until an adult and can make their own decision.