'Sickening' suspected arson attack on Jewish volunteer ambulances in London

In UK's capital, four ambulances belonging to a Jewish community organisation in north London were set ablaze, police said on Monday, adding that the incident was being treated as an antisemitic hate crime. Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis called the incident "sickening."

London Fire Brigade said six fire engines and around 40 firefighters were called out to Highfield Court in Golders Green at 1.40am GMT.

The ambulances belonged to Hatzola, a Jewish not-for-profit volunteer organisation that responds to medical emergencies.

"Officers remain on scene and the arson attack is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime," said a Metropolitan Police statement.

'Sickening'

The Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis posted his reaction on X, which said, "At a time when Jewish communities around the world are facing a growing pattern of these violent attacks, we will meet this moment with shared resolve and stand together against hatred and intimidation."

The deliberate arson attacks against Hatzola ambulances in London are a particularly sickening assault - not only on the Jewish community, but on the values we share as a society.

Our Hatzola volunteer ambulance corps is an extraordinary service, whose sole mission is to… — Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis (@chiefrabbi) March 23, 2026

Sir Keir Starmer has said Jewish hate has no place in society.

This is a deeply shocking antisemitic arson attack.

My thoughts are with the Jewish community who are waking up this morning to this horrific news.

Antisemitism has no place in our society.

Anyone with any information must come forward to the police. https://t.co/P5J1ETaEsE — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) March 23, 2026

London Mayor, Sadiq Khan has said "This is a cowardly attack on the Jewish community. I am in close contact with the police who are stepping up patrols in the area, and I urge anyone with information to come forward."

"Londoners will never be cowed by this kind of hatred and intimidation," Khan added.

Local councillor Dean Cohen told Jewish News that the fact the ambulances were set on fire in the "car park of a synagogue is particularly chilling and will send shockwaves through our community at a time of already heightened fears over antisemitism in the UK". 

He added, "It's beyond time for the authorities to wake and do more to tackle this hate running riot."

Higher levels of anti-Semitism in the UK in recent years

The Met Police added that "nearby houses have been evacuated as a precaution and road closures remain in place. No injuries have been reported and all the fires have been put out."

They confirmed there have not been any arrests and that they will be engaging with faith leaders. Superintendent Sarah Jackson, who leads policing in the local area, said they are carrying out additional patrols to reassure the community.

The Fire Brigade said that multiple cylinders on the vehicles had exploded and caused windows to break in an adjacent block of flats. No injuries are reported.

It added in a statement that they received the first of 56 calls alerting them to the fire at 01:40 and had mobilised fire crews from Hendon, West Hampstead, Mill Hill, Willesden and Kentish Town fire stations. It added that the fire was under control at 03:06.

Attacks against Jewish communities and institutions have risen worldwide following the Hamas-led attacks of 7 October and the ensuing war in Gaza.

Since the conflict, Britain has recorded significantly higher levels of antisemitic incidents, the most severe of which was the 2025 Manchester attack that killed two Jewish worshippers during Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

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London anti-Semitism UK Breaking News Jewish community ambulance Fire arson attack