Two individuals, a 17-year-old boy and a 19-year-old man, have been taken into custody following an arson incident at a synagogue in Harrow, north London. The Metropolitan Police’s Deputy Commissioner, Matt Jukes, revealed the arrests as part of an ongoing investigation into potential Iranian involvement in the attacks targeting the Jewish community.
During an interview on the BBC Radio 4 Today Programme, Mr. Jukes highlighted the examination of Iranian-backed proxies in connection with the synagogue attack and other recent assaults on Jewish establishments. He emphasized the seriousness of this line of inquiry, mentioning similar cases involving individuals acting on behalf of various groups for financial gain.
The police had received reports of an accelerant-filled bottle being thrown through a window of the synagogue late at night, resulting in visible smoke inside the building. Mr. Jukes expressed satisfaction with the progress made, noting a total of 15 arrests made in relation to six incidents targeting Jewish institutions, an ambulance service run by the Jewish community, and a Persian media outlet.
Warning against the consequences of carrying out such attacks, Mr. Jukes stressed the high risk of facing lengthy prison sentences for those involved in these criminal activities. Enhanced patrols have been implemented, with an alert raised by a specially deployed officer at the synagogue shortly after the incident occurred.
A video claiming responsibility for the attack was later shared online by a group identifying itself as Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, previously unknown until recently. The group’s video, featuring messages in Arabic, English, and Hebrew, accused the synagogue of being a hub of Zionist influence in London, targeting specific individuals associated with the establishment.
The incident follows a series of attacks on Jewish facilities in London, including the torching of ambulances in Golders Green, an attempted arson at a synagogue in Finchley, and other related incidents. Concerns have been raised about possible future attacks, including on the Israeli embassy in London, highlighting the need for heightened security measures within the Jewish community.
