Jewish Breaking NewsWave of Arson Attacks Targets Jewish Sites Across London Area
With four arson attacks in one week in London and nearby towns, Jewish residents of the ancient British city are on edge.
The latest attack in Watford, Hertfordshire, which sits about 15 miles northwest of London, saw the fire door of a Jewish-owned shop set alight in what police are calling a “religiously aggravated” crime. But they don’t see a link — at least not yet — to the other incidents, for some of which the Iran-tied group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia (HAYI) claimed responsibility.
Police say they are taking this seriously and issued a plea to anyone with information to come forward.
“Firstly, I would like to make it clear that we do not tolerate hate crimes in our communities in Hertfordshire,” the BBC cited Detective Superintendent Mark Clawson as saying. “I am keen to hear from any witnesses or anyone with information.”
“In particular, I am especially keen to trace a group of young males who were seen in the area around the time of the incident,” he added. “If you were one of these people or think you know who they may be, please get in touch.”
The Sunday arson attack follows one on the Finchley Reform Synagogue last week, one on the Kenton United Synagogue Sunday, and another on a previously Jewish-owned business Friday.
The U.K.-based Jewish advocacy group Campaign Against Antisemitism denounced the string of attacks.
“Another arson attack on a Jewish space,” the group wrote. “The recent spate of arson attacks on Jewish spaces in this country is, worryingly, growing. Last month, four ambulances belonging to Hatzola — the Jewish-run volunteer service — were set on fire.”
“This is the fourth report of an arson attack on a Jewish space in the past week alone,” the group added. “This is simply untenable. Arson attacks on the Jewish community appear to happen at a daily rate. Who, or what, will be burnt next? We are running out of time to find out, and swift action is urgently needed.”
Who, or what, is next is the right question to ask — with four attacks in one week, it’s not a question of if, but when.