Two Jewish men were wounded in stabbings in north London on Wednesday, an attack that police in the British capital are investigating as a "terrorist incident." The assault comes amid a series of antisemitic attacks in recent weeks that have heightened security fears within the Jewish community.
Attack Details
The stabbings occurred late Wednesday morning in Golders Green, a neighborhood with a large Jewish population. Police reported that a 45-year-old man, a British national born in Somalia, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. The two victims, aged 76 and 34, are in stable condition in hospital. The suspect also attempted to stab police officers before being detained, initially taken to hospital, and later discharged.
London's Metropolitan Police stated that the suspect is believed to have been involved in another incident earlier Wednesday in southeast London, where one person suffered minor injuries. Met Commissioner Mark Rowley noted that the suspect has a history of serious violence and mental health issues.
Claim of Responsibility
A little-known group believed to be linked to Iran, Harakat Ashab Al-Yamin Al-Islamiya (HAYI), claimed responsibility for the stabbings, according to the SITE Intelligence Group. The group, which has also claimed responsibility for recent arson attacks in London, said one of its "lone wolves" carried out the assault. The claim was made in a video posted online and has not been independently verified.
Official Condemnation
King Charles III, on a state visit to the United States, expressed deep concern in a statement from Buckingham Palace. Prime Minister Keir Starmer convened an emergency meeting of senior ministers and officials, condemning the "appalling" attack. He announced plans to meet with criminal justice agencies to ensure swift justice and emphasized the government's actions on security, cohesion, and extremism.
Community Response
The stabbings have shaken the local Jewish community. Resident Moshie, 20, told AFP he felt violence was escalating: "Whenever I look around I have one thing in mind. Does this person have a knife? That's our life now." Shomrim, the Jewish neighborhood watch group, first reported the knife-wielding man and helped detain the suspect before police subdued him with an electroshock weapon. Victims were treated by Hatzola, a Jewish volunteer ambulance service.
About 150 people protested near the attack site Wednesday evening, addressed by Richard Tice, deputy leader of Reform UK. Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis called for zero tolerance, stating the community is strong but such attacks must stop.
Context of Rising Antisemitism
The stabbings follow a spate of arson attacks on synagogues and Jewish sites in north London, including the burning of four Hatzola ambulances in late March, an attack on a synagogue in Kenton, and a targeting of a Jewish charity. Another synagogue in Finchley was attacked last week. Police have arrested 28 people in connection with these incidents since the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran on February 28. HAYI has claimed responsibility for many attacks across Europe. Monitoring groups report a surge in antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents in Britain, particularly since the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza began.
