London Ambulance Arson Attack Under Police Investigation
Detectives are urgently working to identify three hooded individuals captured on video at a Jewish ambulance service in Golders Green, north London, where four ambulances were destroyed in a suspected antisemitic arson attack. The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, 23 March 2026, with a loud explosion reported at 1:40 am at the base for the volunteer group Hatzola.
Group Claims Responsibility for Blaze
Islamist group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia (HAYI), believed to be aligned with Iran, has claimed responsibility online for the attack. Metropolitan Police are analyzing hours of CCTV footage showing the suspects pouring accelerant on the parked vehicles. The attack is currently being treated as an antisemitic hate crime rather than a terror attack, but investigators are making enquiries to verify the authenticity of the group's claim.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the incident as a deeply shocking, antisemitic attack, emphasizing that antisemitism has no place in society. Jewish leaders and the Conservative Party have criticized the government for needing to do more to combat anti-Jewish hate, with protests in Golders Green drawing about 250 people, some chanting slogans against Starmer.
Community Response and Political Reactions
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated that the attack signifies an attack on this country and on us all, highlighting the importance of Jewish life in national identity. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch noted an increase in hatred of Jews and called for rooting out misinformation and extreme Islamist groups. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp urged the government to take stronger actions, including removing foreign nationals who express extremist views.
Israel's president expressed solidarity with Britain's Jewish community, while the UK's chief rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis described the attack as an act of deep evil, noting a global rise in antisemitic incidents. Witnesses reported evacuating homes due to the explosion, with firefighters battling the blaze.
Analysis of the Claiming Group
HAYI, a newly formed group emerging since the start of the Iran war, has claimed responsibility for attacks on Jewish institutions in Europe, including in Rotterdam, Amsterdam, and Liege. The group's name resembles Iran-aligned Iraqi militias, some designated as terrorist organizations by the US. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley warned of the grave threat from Iranian state actions, though it is too early to attribute the attack directly to Iran.
Commander Helen Flanagan, head of counter terrorism policing in London, reassured the public that officers are working around the clock, with an online portal launched for witnesses to provide additional information. The investigation continues as authorities seek to bring those responsible to justice and address broader concerns about antisemitism and security in London.
