London synagogue targeted in another attempted arson attack; Sadiq Khan vows strict action

An attempted arson attack was reported at the Kenton United Synagogue in north-west London, in a series of incidents targeting the Jewish community. According to the Community Security Trust (CST), the attack on Saturday night caused minor smoke damage to an internal room, but there were no injuries or significant structural damage, BBC reported.The building, located near a school and children’s playground, was cordoned off as police and fire teams investigated.Forensic officers, fire investigation dogs and multiple police units were deployed at the scene, with a strong security presence continuing in the area.

What London Mayor said

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said perpetrators would face the “full force of the law” and reiterated that antisemitism has no place in the city.

Reacting to the incident, Ephraim Mirvis termed the attack “cowardly” and warned of a “sustained campaign of violence and intimidation” against Jewish communities in the UK.

Series of antisemitic attacks

The latest incident comes amid a spate of suspected antisemitic attacks across north-west London.On Friday, a building in Hendon previously linked to a Jewish charity was targeted when a man attempted to ignite a plastic bag containing bottles of liquid outside the premises before fleeing. The attack caused minor damage and is also being treated as a hate crime.Police are also investigating incidents in Finchley, where petrol-filled bottles were reportedly thrown at a synagogue, with arrests made earlier this week.

No arrests have been reported in the Kenton case so far.

Earlier attack on Jewish ambulances

The escalation follows a major arson attack last month in Golders Green. Four ambulances belonging to a Jewish volunteer emergency service were set ablaze in the early hours of March 23.Explosions caused by oxygen and gas canisters inside the vehicles damaged nearby properties and forced residents to evacuate.