Four Hatzola ambulances in north London were set ablaze overnight in what British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called “a deeply shocking antisemitic arson attack.”
Hatzola is a non-profit volunteer organization that responds to both Jewish and non-Jewish medical emergencies.
The London Fire Brigade, which sent six fire engines and 40 firefighters to the scene, said multiple oxygen cylinders on the vehicles exploded, causing windows to shatter in an adjacent apartment block. No injuries were reported.
London’s Metropolitan Police have confirmed that the attack is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime.
The newly formed Shi’ite terror group Ashab al-Yamin (in English: the Islamic Movement of the People of the Right) took to its Telegram channel to claim responsibility for the attack, which took place outside Machzike Hadath Synagogue in Golders Green.
Ashab al-Yamin appeared on the scene in recent weeks in relation to several attacks, including an explosion at a Liège synagogue in Belgium, an Amsterdam Jewish school, and a Rotterdam synagogue. It is believed to be linked to the Islamic Resistance (Iranian-backed Shia Islamist factions) in Iraq.
Ashab al-Yamin’s new video shows what appears to be its members conducting reconnaissance on the Hatzola ambulances before the arson. Footage from a handheld camera appears to show the perpetrators staying near the scene to watch the blaze.
The text inside the video, however, suggests that the real target was the synagogue itself.
“The Machzike Hadath Synagogue is one of the most important centers of Orthodox Judaism [...] and one of the main bastions of support for Israel in Britain,” the video text reads.
Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, the policing lead in north west 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.
'Antisemitism has no place in our society'
Starmer described the incident as deeply shocking.
“My thoughts are with the Jewish community who are waking up this morning to this horrific news,” he said on X/Twitter. “Antisemitism has no place in our society.”
Israel’s embassy in Britain said antisemitism was rampant in London and said the firebombing of ambulances was the consequence of years of hate being tolerated in plain sight.
“Enough is enough,” the embassy said on X. “There must be a thorough investigation and decisive action to put an end to this climate of intimidation before it spirals further. Silence and inaction are no longer an option.”
Mark Gardner, chief executive of the Community Security Trust, which advises Britain’s estimated 290,000 Jews on security matters, said the fires had an “obvious parallel to similar recent anti-Jewish arson attacks in Liege, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan condemned the attack and said police patrols would be increased in the area.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced that the government will fund the replacement of all four Jewish ambulances, and said additional staff from the London Ambulance Service will support Hatzola in the meantime.
Over half a million pounds has already been raised to fund the ambulances, after both Charity Extra and GoFundMe fundraising pages were opened.
What is Hatzola Northwest?
Hatzola Northwest is a registered charity in the UK, headquartered in Golders Green, that offers “a 24/7 community service, operating 365 days a year to provide a swift response to medical emergencies in a 2.5-mile radius” from its headquarters, according to the organization’s website.
“The service is provided free of charge by our 61 fully qualified medics and paramedic volunteer responders, all of whom have undergone and continue to receive intensive training.
“They are equipped with comprehensive Basic Life Support kits, including resuscitation equipment, oxygen, and defibrillators, and are ready to drop everything to respond to a medical emergency.
“Hatzola Northwest presently has a fleet of five active ambulances and three Fast Response Units, which are used for responding when needed, including urgent patient transport as required,” the website says.
The Jerusalem Post reached out to Hatzola and Mechzike for comment.