British police probe another arson attack in London

Recent weeks have seen a series of comparable events in the UK, raising alarms about escalating antisemitism. Authorities confirmed on Saturday that counter-terrorism units are examining a fire incident at a shop in a Jewish-populated area of London. The attack occurred late Friday in Hendon, located in the northwest of the capital.

“A man approached a row of shops with a plastic bag holding three bottles of liquid. He positioned the bag beside the building and set the contents alight. The bottles did not fully ignite, and the individual left the scene,” police explained in a statement.

Details of the targeted business were not disclosed, though officials noted the damage was minimal. No injuries were reported. A separate incident targeted a synagogue in Finchley on Wednesday, while four ambulances serving the Jewish community were set ablaze in Golders Green late last month.

Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya (HAYI), a lesser-known organization tied to Iran, claimed responsibility for the synagogue and ambulance attacks, as per SITE Intelligence Group. The group had previously attributed similar incidents in Belgium and the Netherlands to itself.

Authorities maintained an open stance on the motive of the latest attack, without classifying it as a terrorist act. However, counter-terrorism officers are spearheading the inquiry due to its resemblance to earlier incidents. Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, overseeing the region’s policing, acknowledged the incident’s potential to intensify community fears.

He emphasized that police would enhance patrols, incorporating armed personnel, to address the situation. “This latest event will contribute to anxiety within the Jewish community,” Williams remarked.

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