This morning, CCTV footage was released showing three masked men setting fire to four ambulances belonging to Hatzola, a nonprofit volunteer organization that responds to both Jewish and non-Jewish medical emergencies, in London late last night. The Jerusalem Post reports that there were no fatalities or injuries; however, explosions from the vehicles’ oxygen cylinders caused windows in a nearby apartment building to shatter.
An Iran-aligned group has claimed responsibility for the attack, which resulted in the total loss of several vehicles. The incident occurred next to Machzike Hadath Synagogue, described by the terror group Ashab al-Yamin as one of the main bastions of support for Israel in Britain.
Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, the policing lead in northwest London, said on Monday that the police are aware of Ashab al-Yamin’s video and are establishing its authenticity and accuracy.
Williams confirmed the police are looking for three suspects at this early stage, since CCTV footage showed three people in hoods pouring an accelerant onto the vehicles before igniting them and fleeing.
While the attack has not been declared a terrorist incident at this stage, the investigation is now being led by Counter Terrorism Policing.
Israel’s embassy in Britain stated, “Enough is enough. There must be thorough investigation and decisive action to end this climate of intimidation before it escalates further. Silence and inaction are no longer options.” Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his support for Britain’s Jewish community of approximately 290,000 people, affirming that “anti-Semitism has no place in our society.”
London’s Metropolitan Police are investigating the incident as an anti-Semitic hate crime. A video posted by Ashab al-Yamin appears to show its members conducting reconnaissance on the ambulances days before the attack. Additional footage circulating online shows individuals remaining near the scene shortly before firefighters arrived.
The Fellowship and our supporters thank God that no one was injured or killed in this targeted and premeditated attack against the Jewish community. This incident also underscores the alarming reach of Iran’s terror proxies. In the face of this darkness, we choose light as we pray for the protection of God’s people around the world.