The Metropolitan Police has urged charities of different faiths to join forces in calling out extremism after a series of arson attacks on Jewish premises in north London.
In the past few days, Kenton United Synagogue, Finchley Reform Synagogue and a building formerly hosting charity Jewish Futures in Hendon all faced attacks.
These followed four Jewish community ambulances owned by charity Hatzola being destroyed in an arson attack in Golders Green.
Counter terrorism police officers are investigating all these incidents, most of which have been claimed online by the group Ashab al-Yamin (Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right).
In a statement yesterday, deputy commissioner Matt Jukes said: “London is better than this. We should all be standing with our neighbours, and we need vigilance from every community in support of those who are being targeted
“It means all communities speaking out against this antisemitism and intimidation, as well as people providing information to police that will help us tackle crime and deter terrorism.
“It also means the whole of society – across faiths, across politics, in charities and businesses – coming together to play their role in calling out extremism.”
In a social media post, umbrella body ACEVO’s chief executive Jane Ide said: “There is no place for such hatred or violence, and, in the words of Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis, it is an attack on the values that bind us all together.
“As always, it is the power of community, of civil society, of charities and voluntary groups and community leaders working together, that gives us strength, that brings light instead of pain and hope in place of fear.”
In a statement last week, Finchley Reform Synagogue said: “When something threatens our physical space and our community, it also strengthens our resolve to invest our time and our love in positive expressions of our Judaism and our values.”
Saul Taylor, president of United Synagogue, which runs the Kenton premises, said: “We will not be intimidated, and we will remain strong and united in the face of hatred.”
Jewish security charity CST thanked emergency services and its own team for “all they are doing to protect the Jewish community during this unprecedented period”.
