A former London synagogue was attacked Tuesday morning in a suspected arson, the Metropolitan Police announced, amid a wave of arson and other attacks targeting UK Jewish, Israeli, and Iranian dissident sites.
Minor damage was caused to the building gates, but no one was harmed. Initial investigation through security camera footage indicated that fire was initially set before dawn, the Met said.
London North and East Shomrim identified the site as the former East London Central Synagogue, which according to Acuitus Auctions was sold in February.
"We are taking this incident extremely seriously and we will be working closely with colleagues from Counter Terrorism Policing to support the investigation.
The building targeted has not been operational as a synagogue for some years but that will be of little comfort to the Jewish community in Tower Hamlets, Hackney and beyond, who are first in my thoughts this morning," Detective Chief Superintendent Brittany Clark said in a statement. “Local residents can expect to see an increased police presence in the area while enquiries into this incident continue.”
Tower Hamlets Executive Mayor Lutfur Rahman said that he was shocked and saddened by the "antisemitic attack."
UK Jewish community faces string of attacks
"Tower Hamlets’ strength lies in our diversity, our history of welcoming all, our mutual respect for people of all faiths and none. Our East London community has a proud history of standing united against all forms of hatred and bigotry," Rahman said in a statement. "We will not tolerate this attack, or any attempt to intimidate or threaten the local Jewish community. All residents of Tower Hamlets should feel safe and at home in our borough."
Counter Terrorism Police head Commander Helen Flanagan, whose force was leading the investigation, given a spate of arson and other attacks against Jewish, Israeli, and Iranian dissident sites in London, said in a statement that potential links to the new arson and previous incidents will be considered.
The spate of attacks began with the arson of four Hatzola ambulances in the Golders Green area on March 23.
The same day as the Iran International incident, arsonists attempted to attack the Finchley Reform Synagogue by placing bottles with accelerants next to the synagogue and throwing a brick at the alleged firebomb. A building that once was the premises of a Jewish group, still with the organization's name on the window, was the target of an arson attempt on April 17.
Three bottles containing accelerants were placed next to a building and set alight. The bottles failed to fully ignite, but minor damage was caused to the shopfront. The same day a burning container was thrown into the carpark of Iran International's office.
On April 19, the Kenton United Synagogue was firebombed, causing minor smoke damage to a room, but no injuries. Last Monday, a fire was started in Golders Green at the memorial wall for Iranian protesters murdered by the Islamic Regime.
Most of the attacks were claimed by Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, with the most high profile being the Golder Green stabbing attack on Wednesday, in which a 45 year old Somali born terrorist wounded two people before being subdued by police and Jewish neighborhood watch volunteers.
Three bottles containing accelerants were placed next to a building and set alight. The bottles failed to fully ignite, but minor damage was caused to the shopfront. The same day, a burning container was thrown into the car park of Iran International's office.
On April 19, the Kenton United Synagogue was firebombed, causing minor smoke damage to a room, but no injuries. Last Monday, a fire was started in Golders Green at the memorial wall for Iranian protesters murdered by the Islamic Regime.
The most dangerous incident claimed by HAYI was the Golders Green stabbing attack on Wednesday, in which a 45-year-old Somali-born terrorist wounded two people before being subdued by police and Jewish neighborhood watch volunteers.