Prime minister condemns ‘horrific antisemitic attack’ after four Jewish community ambulances set on fire
Keir Starmer has called for communities to “all stand together” in the face of an “horrific antisemitic attack”, which saw four Jewish community ambulances set on fire.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed the incident is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime, with CCTV showing three individuals setting light to an ambulance in the early hours of Monday morning,
Officers were called to Highfield Road in Golders Green at about 1.45am on Monday after receiving reports of a fire. The ambulances were run by Jewish charity Hatzola, which was established in 1979 and is run by volunteers, providing free medical transportation and emergency response to those living in north London.
The London fire brigade (LFB) said it had sent six fire engines and about 40 firefighters to the fire, which damaged four vehicles. Several cylinders on the vehicles exploded and caused windows to break in an adjacent block of flats, the LFB said. No injuries were initially reported.
Jewish community leaders condemned the attack, with the chief rabbi Ephraim Mirvis saying the targeting of the volunteer service was “particularly sickening”.
Investigators are working to identify who carried out the attack. It is understood to be too early to say if it was inspired by a particular group.
The prime minister said he had been in contact with Jewish community leaders and “it’s really important that we all stand together”.
He added:
This is a horrific antisemitic attack. And of course my thoughts, I think all of our thoughts, will be with those in the vicinity, the residents who are understandably very concerned, the Jewish community across the country deeply concerned.
I’ve already been in touch with community leaders this morning and will continue to do so during the day.
But antisemitism has no place in our society and it’s really important that we all stand together at a moment like this.
Key events
The British Medical Association (BMA) criticised “deliberate attacks on healthcare services” as “reprehensible” after Jewish community ambulances were set on fire in London.
BMA council chairman Tom Dolphin said:
We are appalled to see this attack on ambulances that provide an important service to people in north London.
Antisemitism is abhorrent, and deliberate attacks on healthcare services are reprehensible, and this horrendous incident involves both. It is a relief that no-one was injured, but this makes the attack no less sickening.
Our thoughts are with the Jewish community in north London and across the UK.
Streeting said London Ambulance Service would be providing additional support to ensure that “we don’t miss a beat” responding to emergency callouts.
The government will also fund the replacement of four Jewish community ambulances, he said.
Speaking about the attack from north London, Streeting said the prime minister and home secretary would have more to say, adding:
But when it comes to our response today, to support our friends in the community with the ambulance service, with London Ambulance Service, will today be providing additional support to make sure that the charity is supported to respond to anyone in need.
So the important message to the local Jewish community, indeed, to Londoners more widely, if you need help from the ambulance service, that they seek it, we will be there for you, but the Jewish community should not be left footing the bill for this despicable attack, which is why tomorrow morning, at the latest, we will have four ambulances in place to replace those that have been destroyed, and we’ll be working to replace those ambulances on a permanent basis, and we will fund the replacement of those ambulances.
Those responsible for this attack must know that the Jewish community will not face up to this hatred alone. The whole country will stand with them.
An attack on four Jewish community ambulances was aimed at making British Jews “be less visible” and “fear going about” their lives, Wes Streeting said as he pledged extra health support.
Speaking at the scene of the attack in north London, the health secretary said:
The aim of these attackers is clear. They want Jewish people in this country to live smaller lives, to live less Jewish lives, to be less visible as Jewish people, to fear going about Jewish life.
He added:
I know that the Jewish community will not be cowed by this despicable act of evil, but it is the responsibility of the rest of us not to be bystanders.
Every decent person in this country needs to stand up and speak up against this vile antisemitic hatred.
And of course, the best form of solidarity is practical solidarity, which is why today, our London Ambulance Service colleagues will be providing support to the team here in Golders Green to make sure that we don’t skip a beat when it comes to responding to emergency callouts.
Prime minister condemns ‘horrific antisemitic attack’ after four Jewish community ambulances set on fire
Keir Starmer has called for communities to “all stand together” in the face of an “horrific antisemitic attack”, which saw four Jewish community ambulances set on fire.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed the incident is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime, with CCTV showing three individuals setting light to an ambulance in the early hours of Monday morning,
Officers were called to Highfield Road in Golders Green at about 1.45am on Monday after receiving reports of a fire. The ambulances were run by Jewish charity Hatzola, which was established in 1979 and is run by volunteers, providing free medical transportation and emergency response to those living in north London.
The London fire brigade (LFB) said it had sent six fire engines and about 40 firefighters to the fire, which damaged four vehicles. Several cylinders on the vehicles exploded and caused windows to break in an adjacent block of flats, the LFB said. No injuries were initially reported.
Jewish community leaders condemned the attack, with the chief rabbi Ephraim Mirvis saying the targeting of the volunteer service was “particularly sickening”.
Investigators are working to identify who carried out the attack. It is understood to be too early to say if it was inspired by a particular group.
The prime minister said he had been in contact with Jewish community leaders and “it’s really important that we all stand together”.
He added:
This is a horrific antisemitic attack. And of course my thoughts, I think all of our thoughts, will be with those in the vicinity, the residents who are understandably very concerned, the Jewish community across the country deeply concerned.
I’ve already been in touch with community leaders this morning and will continue to do so during the day.
But antisemitism has no place in our society and it’s really important that we all stand together at a moment like this.
