Party leaders unite to condemn ‘horrific antisemitic attack’ on Hatzola ambulances

Four ambulances parked on a residential street next to Machzike Hadath Synagogue were set alight in the early hours of Monday morning. The Metropolitan Police confirmed they had launched an investigation and were treating the arson attack as an antisemitic hate crime.

The Community Security Trust said that the attack “has obvious comparison to similar recent attacks in Belgium and the Netherlands”.

There have been attacks in Liège in Belgium and Rotterdam in the Netherlands, as well as an explosion at a school in Amsterdam. Israel’s Diaspora Affairs Ministry said those attacks were carried out by Iran-linked Islamist group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, which has claimed responsibility for the attack. Their involvement in the Golders Green attack is yet to be confirmed. 

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch posted on social media: “What kind of person targets Hatzola, a volunteer-run ambulance service?”

Referencing her visit to north London last week, the Tory leader said that local members of the Jewish community had told her “how they live in fear of constant attacks.

“The police must find those responsible. A hatred of Jews is growing in our country and all of us need to make it clear in our words and actions that Britain will not tolerate antisemitism.”

Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, described the attacks as “despicable”.

“Antisemitism has no place in our country. Our Jewish friends should be able to feel safe on Britain’s streets,” he added.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage also condemned the incident and suggested that failure to control Britain’s borders was increasing the threat level.

“The horrible attack on volunteer ambulances is part of a rising tide of hate against Jewish communities in Britain. As I write, more undocumented young men are crossing the Channel. Many will be from Iran — we have an open door to potential enemies,” he said on social media.

Other senior cabinet members also shared their outrage at the attack.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood urged anyone with any knowledge of the attack to contact the police. She went on: “My message to our Jewish community is clear – we stand with you against the unacceptable scourge of antisemitism.” She also thanked the “professionalism of the emergency responders tackling the blaze”.

The sentiment was shared by her Tory shadow Chris Philp.

“I visited Hatzola myself just a few months ago and saw the incredible work they do,” he said, adding: “The Jewish community has been targeted again and again - including in the Islamist attack on Heaton Park synagogue last autumn. Whoever is guilty of this sickening crime must go to jail for a long time – and if they are not British citizens, they must then be deported.

“We must make sure that the UK is safe for our Jewish community and we must relentlessly work to eliminate the ancient scourge of antisemitism.”

Communities Secretary Steve Reed also shared an image of himself visiting Hatzola a few years ago and described himself as “heartbroken” at the news of the attack.

“This is a racist crime and we will not tolerate it. Not as a government or a country. We all stand firmly with the Jewish community. I’m grateful to the emergency services and we're working closely with the Met to ensure everyone stays safe”, he added.

Green Party leader Zack Polanski, who is Jewish, said he was “horrified” by what he called an “antisemitic attack”.

“Antisemitism is vile and has no place here. Solidarity with the Jewish community in Golders Green – and with our communities across the country who will be feeling this today,” he said in a post on X.