London Police Probe Terror Motive After Two Jewish Men Stabbed in Golders Green
London – British police are investigating the stabbing of two Jewish men in north London as a suspected terrorist incident after the victims were attacked in the Golders Green neighborhood on Wednesday, amid heightened concern over a rise in antisemitic violence across the capital.
London’s Metropolitan Police said a 45-year-old British man born in Somalia was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after the late-morning assaults, which left two men aged 76 and 34 hospitalized in stable condition.
Police said the suspect, who also allegedly attempted to stab officers during the arrest, is believed to have been involved in a separate incident earlier the same morning in southeast London in which another person sustained minor injuries.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley said the suspect had “a history of serious violence and mental health issues,” while counter-terrorism officers were leading the investigation to determine motive and possible links to a broader pattern of attacks targeting Jewish communities.
The incident occurred shortly after 11 a.m. local time when the Shomrim Jewish neighborhood watch group reported that a knife-wielding man was attempting to stab Jewish members of the public in Golders Green, an area with a large Jewish population.
The incident occurred shortly after 11 a.m. local time when the Shomrim Jewish neighborhood watch group reported that a knife-wielding man was attempting to stab Jewish members of the public in Golders Green, an area with a large Jewish population.
Members of Shomrim helped detain the suspect before police arrived and used a Taser to subdue him. The victims were treated at the scene by Hatzola, a Jewish volunteer ambulance service, before being taken to hospital.King Charles III, currently on a state visit to the United States, said he was “deeply concerned” by the attacks in a statement issued by Buckingham Palace.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the stabbings as “appalling” and convened an emergency meeting of senior ministers and officials, saying the government would ensure a swift response from criminal justice agencies.“The government is taking action in relation to security, cohesion, extremism,” Starmer told broadcasters, adding that he would meet officials on Thursday to review security arrangements and legal responses.
The attack follows several recent arson incidents targeting synagogues and Jewish institutions in north London, including fires involving Hatzola ambulances and attacks on synagogues in Kenton and Finchley.Police have arrested 28 people in connection with those incidents and Wednesday’s stabbing since the start of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran on Feb. 28.
A little-known group believed to be linked to Iran, Harakat Ashab Al-Yamin Al-Islamiya (HAYI), claimed responsibility for the stabbing through an online video cited by SITE Intelligence Group, saying one of its “lone wolves” carried out the attack. The claim has not been independently verified.
Israel’s foreign ministry said the attacks showed Britain was failing to protect its Jewish community.“After attacks on synagogues, Jewish institutions, community ambulances and now Jews targeted in Golders Green, the UK government can no longer claim this is under control,” it said in a post on X.
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said the Jewish community remained resilient but demanded stronger action.“Such attacks need to stop now. Zero tolerance that’s what our community wants,” he told reporters.
Monitoring groups in Britain have reported a sharp increase in both antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, with tensions further intensified by the broader regional conflict involving Iran.
