Authorities are currently searching for two individuals following an attempted arson incident at a synagogue located in north London, where two bottles believed to contain petrol were thrown at the building.
The Finchley Reform Synagogue was targeted in what police are classifying as an antisemitic hate crime. According to the Metropolitan Police, the suspects, who were wearing balaclavas, approached the synagogue around 01:00 BST, throwing a brick and two bottles at the structure. Fortunately, no injuries or damage occurred as a result of the attack.
This incident follows a previous arson attack last month, in which four ambulances belonging to a Jewish community charity were set ablaze. Counter-terrorism police are now involved in both investigations.
Sarah Sackman, the Labour MP for Finchley and Golders Green, expressed her outrage, stating, „This shocking attempt to harm a local synagogue follows a series of alarming attacks on the Jewish community in Finchley and Golders Green.“ She emphasized her determination to prevent such incidents from becoming commonplace.
Sackman further remarked, „British Jews must be free to go about their lives without fear—whether taking their children to nursery or attending synagogue. We do not want to live behind ever higher walls.“
The Community Security Trust (CST), a charity dedicated to providing security and monitoring antisemitism in the UK, has announced that it is offering support to the affected synagogue and is collaborating closely with law enforcement.
Community Reactions and Police Response
Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams acknowledged the „significant concern“ this incident is likely to generate within the community, especially following the recent arson attack in Golders Green. He stated, „We are working with the affected synagogue and continuing to meet with community leaders.“
Williams reassured the public, saying, „We take incidents of this nature extremely seriously, and detectives are working urgently to identify the suspects. If you have any CCTV, dash cam footage, or information that could assist officers, please contact the police.“
As investigations continue, community leaders and residents remain vigilant, hoping for swift justice and enhanced security measures to protect their places of worship.
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