UK
Suspect arrested over ‘arson’ at pro-Israel MP’s office
Sharon Hodgson’s constituency headquarters was also defaced with ‘blood on your hands' graffiti
September 12, 2025 10:28
Sharon Hodgson’s constituency headquarters was also defaced with ‘blood on your hands' graffiti
September 12, 2025 10:28Police are investigating an alleged arson attack on MP Sharon Hodgson's constituency office.
A fire broke out at the office in Vermont House, Washington, last night. The cause is not yet known, but the incident is being treated as suspicious.
Hodgson, whose father was Jewish, is the vice-chair of Labour Friends of Israel. Last year, in a Westminster Hall debate, she condemned the increase in antisemitic incidents in the UK and has also pushed the government to look into allegations of sexual violence carried out by Hamas on October 7.
The office was also graffitied with the words: "328 days [of] blood on your hands," which the Campaign Against Antisemitism has suggested relates to the time since the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in an Israeli drone strike.
It is not clear whether the graffiti is related to the alleged arson. If it were drawn on the same day as the fire, it would have been 329 days since Sinwar’s death.
Councillor Phil Tye, chair of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS), said: "Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this incident.
"I'd like to thank our firefighters and control staff for their dedication and teamwork during what may be a challenging investigation."
A Northumbria Police spokesperson told the JC: "Shortly after 12.20am today (Thursday), we were alerted to a fire at a premises on Woodland Terrace in the Washington area.
"Emergency services attended and no one is reported to have been injured in the incident.
"A man in his 20s has subsequently been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and arson. He remains in police custody at this time."
A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: "This attack, which is particularly distressing both to Sharon Hodgson’s constituents and to the Jewish community which she has vocally supported, must be met with unequivocal condemnation.
"Violence has no place in our civic discourse. This must be the moment that the authorities finally clamp down on harassment of those we elect to represent and govern us.”
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