Three suspects, including a dual Pakistani citizen, have been charged in connection with an arson attack on Jewish community ambulances in north London, which has been condemned as antisemitic.
Three individuals have been charged in relation to an alleged arson attack targeting Jewish community ambulances in north London, an incident that U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has labeled as antisemitic.
The suspects, aged 17, 19, and 20, are accused of setting fire to four ambulances operated by a volunteer emergency service for the Jewish community. The attack occurred on March 23 at approximately 1:45 a.m. in the Golders Green neighborhood, where the ambulances were parked in a synagogue lot.
Hamza Iqbal, 20, Rehan Khan, 19, and a 17-year-old boy face charges of arson with intent to damage property while recklessly endangering life, according to the Metropolitan Police. Of the three, two are British citizens, while one holds dual British and Pakistani citizenship.
All three suspects were arrested on Wednesday at different locations across London. They did not enter pleas during a brief hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday afternoon and remain in custody. A fourth suspect was also arrested at the courthouse during the proceedings, as reported by Reuters.
Starmer condemned the attack as a “horrifying” act of antisemitism, stating, “An attack on our Jewish community is an attack on us all. We will fight the poison that is antisemitism.” His remarks were made on social media shortly after the incident.
According to a report from the SITE Intelligence Group, an Iran-backed network known as the Islamic Movement of the People of the Right Hand has claimed responsibility for the attack, as noted by Reuters. However, despite this claim, officials have not formally categorized the incident as terrorism. The investigation is being led by counterterrorism police, as confirmed by the Metropolitan Police.
In the days following the attack, two additional men, aged 45 and 47, were arrested but were later released on bail. Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, expressed gratitude for the support from the local community since the incident occurred. “I want to reiterate that the support we had from the local community since this attack took place has been incredible, and we will continue to work closely with local policing colleagues to do everything we can to keep the public safe,” she stated.
The Metropolitan Police did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.
According to Reuters, the investigation continues as authorities work to uncover more details surrounding the incident and its motivations.