Iran-aligned Islamist group suspected in London Jewish charity attack

London police are investigating a suspected arson attack on four ambulances owned by the Jewish charity Hatzola, with potential links to an Iranian-aligned group, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said.

The ambulances were set ablaze in Golders Green in the early hours of March 23, causing multiple explosions from gas canisters stored in the vehicles. Police believe three suspects were involved. The incident is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime rather than a terrorist act, BBC reports.

Sir Mark noted the "rapid growth" of Iranian state threats in recent years but cautioned it is still "too early" to directly attribute the attack to Tehran. Investigators are exploring all leads, including an online claim of responsibility by an Islamist group with reported ties to Iran that has claimed other attacks across Europe.

At the scene, the cordon had been lifted, but the remains of the burnt-out ambulances remained. Damage to the nearby Machzike Hadath Synagogue included cracked stained glass windows, with shattered glass littering the area. Exploding oxygen canisters appeared to have caused some windows in a neighboring block of flats to break.

Synagogue president Damon Hoff praised emergency responders, telling, “The only reason the floors didn’t burn down is because they got there so quickly.” He said most damage was limited to the exterior, and the synagogue reopened for prayer on Tuesday.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting confirmed the government will fund replacement ambulances, which the London Ambulance Service will deliver at 13:00 GMT on March 24.

The group claiming responsibility, Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya (The Islamic Movement of the People of the Right Hand), has posted on its Telegram channel and claimed attacks on European Jewish sites, including a synagogue in Liege, Belgium, and explosions targeting a synagogue in Rotterdam and a Jewish school in Amsterdam.

Sir Mark said additional security measures include deploying 264 extra police officers, highly visible firearms patrols, drones, and live facial recognition technology to protect London’s Jewish community.

By Vafa Guliyeva