Kemi Badenoch expressed solidarity with the Jewish community and called for tougher punishments for antisemites, following a suspected arson attack in Golders Green.
In an interview with the JC beside three Hatzola ambulances parked outside Egerton Road Synagogue in Stamford Hill, the leader of the opposition said those responsible for inciting hatred “will be punished”.
Four vehicles were set alight at the Hatzola Northwest base in the early hours of Monday morning, in what police are investigating as an “antisemitic arson attack”. No arrests have yet been made.
Badenoch’s visit to Stamford Hill had been planned before the attack, and she said she was “sad” that it had been overshadowed by the devastating fire.
She toured one of the three remaining Hatzola ambulances and spoke to volunteer paramedics about the life-saving service.
She said the attack was motivated by “hatred against Jews” and called for the government to do more to combat antisemitism.
“It is not enough to ask the community to get more security, have more guards outside Jewish schools – we need to root out this hatred.”
Badenoch said that “misinformation” about Jews and Israel that has proliferated online and in parts of the media, including the BBC, must be challenged.
“Antizionism is being used as a cover for antisemitism,” she said.
The leader of the Conservative Party addressing reporters in Stamford Hill, behind her three of the remaining Hatzola ambulances[Missing Credit]
“We're seeing a rise in attacks on Jewish businesses, even businesses that are not necessarily tied to Israel, like Gail's bakery, being attacked.
“We need to be able to show that we can protect the Jewish community who have had sanctuary in Britain for centuries.
“We need to start tackling a lot of the misinformation about Jewish people, about Israel, which we see all over social media and the media. In fact, we see it on the BBC, remember that Panorama?
“Let’s get serious about making sure that people are punished for anything that incites violence against Jews.”
Speaking after Wes Streeting announced new powers for the NHS to dismiss racist and antisemitic staff, Badenoch added: “We need to really look at our public sector. We have a lot of people who think that it is fine to openly express these views and they face no sanctions, so let’s start tackling that.
“People inciting hatred and violence against Jews need to know that it is more than unacceptable; they will be punished.”
She also argued that tighter immigration controls could play a role in combating antisemitism.
“We need to look at a lot of the people who are coming into this country perhaps from cultures where it is fine to speak to Jewish people in that way. I think it is abhorrent.
“We need to make sure people who come to our country know that this is Britain, we have British values here. Britain has always been a sanctuary for Jews, certainly in the last few centuries. I was at the synagogue just up the road, which has been there since the 1700s.
“We need to be very clear about what our society is, who we stand by and what we stand for.”
Turning to Iran, Badenoch referred to more than 20 Islamic Republic-backed terror plots foiled by British security services in recent years. She said the UK must act with “moral clarity” towards the regime. “If there is a war between the US and Israel versus Iran, we are not on the side of Iran,” she stated.
“I have met many people in our country who are refugees and dissidents against the Iranian regime, some in Golders Green actually treated by the same Hatzola ambulances that were set fire to. That regime sponsors terrorism all across the world – the Houthis, Hamas, Hezbollah – it is an enemy of this country.”
The burnt wreckage of Hatzola ambulances in Golders Green (Getty Images)Getty Images
Nonetheless, Badenoch sought to reassure JC readers that those targeting the community are a small minority: “I know that many Jewish Chronicle readers are very scared – I want them to know that the majority of people in this country are good people, who will stand behind the Jewish community.
“We have allowed a vocal, aggressive and noisy minority to speak. Many people think that because they’re not hearing as much countering it, that that means there is support for those people – there is not that much support,” she said.
“Politicians like me and others need to do more. That’s why I am toughening up our policies so that the Jewish community can see that the people of Britain and the United Kingdom are behind them.”
Asked later the controversy over remarks by her shadow justice minister, Nick Timothy, that Muslim prayer in Trafalgar Square was an act of “domination”, Badenoch said the focus should be on integration.
“We need to start looking at our society now. It is 2026, not 1926. What does it look like when we have multifaith communities? How can we make sure that we are integrating properly?
“Where does the line between freedom to practise your religion stop, versus the freedom for others to continue in the way that they practise their values and their culture? This is what my culture and integration commission is about.”
On Monday, Priti Patel visited the site of the ambulance attack in Golders Green.
Speaking to the JC, the shadow foreign secretary said: “The entire community around the world will be looking at this attack on Britain’s streets.”
Priti Patel, the Shadow Foreign Secretary of the UK spoke to the JC at the scene of the Hatzola arson this morning: "Antisemitism is rife, and i'm afraid we have a government that have allowed this to happen."
— The Jewish Chronicle (@JewishChron) March 23, 2026
This is a developing story, follow the JC for updates. pic.twitter.com/FZDzA7kH6X
She added that the incident was “an attack on the Jewish community here, but also an attack on humanity.
“We have a Jewish community in this country that is under attack and under assault, antisemitism is rife, and I am afraid we have had a government that has allowed this to happen,” the MP for Witham went on.
Patel, who served as Home Secretary for three years, called on the government to take action against the IRGC and called for the “full force of the law” to be brought to bear on the three attack suspects.
“The police need to find these individuals and ensure that they are fully punished and that the full force of the law comes to them. We should also recognise this part of north London, we have security here. Thank goodness this was caught on camera.”
Patel also pointed to the resilience of the local Jewish community in the immediate aftermath of the attack.
“Look at the response from the community, everybody came within minutes to come and help people, get them out of their homes. Their windows had been blown out.
Patel said she grew up surrounded by members of the community, but “Never in my lifetime have I experienced a Jewish community living in fear like this.
"As I left to come here this morning, I met my 94-year-old neighbour who was on his way to the synagogue... he said our community is living in the worst kind of fear, and he said not in his recent years has the community experienced this.”
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