A chilling wave of fear swept through Golders Green in the early hours of Monday morning as four ambulances belonging to a Jewish volunteer service were deliberately set ablaze. The attack, immediately condemned as an anti-Semitic hate crime, unfolded on Highfield Road, leaving a community reeling and emergency services scrambling to respond.
Footage quickly surfaced, depicting three hooded figures approaching the parked ambulances before flames erupted, illuminating the night sky. The intensity of the fire was startling, with explosions echoing from gas canisters onboard the vehicles. The synagogue adjacent to the ambulances also sustained damage, its stained-glass windows shattered by the force of the blasts.
Damon Hoff, the synagogue’s president, described the scene as “terrifying.” He recounted hundreds of people rushing to the scene, the sheer scale of the explosions, and the swift response of the police. “This is an attack on the Jewish way of life,” he stated, his voice heavy with emotion.
The immediate aftermath saw dozens of residents evacuated from their homes, with approximately thirty seeking shelter nearby. One mother, Abigael Levi, initially mistook the sounds for fireworks, only to discover the horrifying reality of a building engulfed in flames. She spoke of the frantic scramble to protect her young children, aged two and three, loading them into a shopping trolley and fleeing for safety.
The attack resonated far beyond Golders Green. Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis labeled it a “particularly sickening assault,” emphasizing the ongoing struggle between those who value life and those who seek to destroy it. He stressed the need for unity and resolve in the face of escalating violence against Jewish communities worldwide.
The Prime Minister swiftly condemned the act as “deeply shocking,” reaffirming that antisemitism has no place in British society. The Hatzola, the targeted volunteer organization, has provided free emergency care and transport to the Jewish community since 1979, serving as a vital lifeline, particularly in areas like Golders Green with a large Jewish population.
Local councillor Dean Cohen, awakened by the news, expressed a growing sense of dread. He warned that antisemitism had been “growing and festering” and that an attack in Golders Green was, tragically, inevitable. He pointed to a lack of decisive action from politicians and the media as contributing factors to the escalating problem.
Finchley and Golders Green MP Sarah Sackman echoed these concerns, calling the attack “cowardly and despicable.” She demanded that the perpetrators face the full force of the law and reiterated that antisemitism is unacceptable in a just society.
Police Superintendent Sarah Jackson assured the community that urgent inquiries were underway, including a review of CCTV footage and online videos. Investigators believe three suspects were involved and are appealing for any information that could lead to their identification and arrest.
Mark Gardner, Chief Executive of the Community Security Trust, drew parallels to recent antisemitic attacks in Belgium and the Netherlands, highlighting a disturbing pattern of escalating violence. He confirmed the CST is assisting police with their investigation.
Firefighters battled the blaze for hours, finally bringing it under control by 3:06 am. The charred remains of the ambulances served as a stark reminder of the hatred that fueled the attack.
Rabbi Yitzchak Schochet of Mill Hill Synagogue didn’t hesitate to label the act as “terrorism, plain and simple.” He shared a deeply personal story of how Hatzola paramedics saved his newborn granddaughter’s life, emphasizing the profound impact of their service and the senselessness of the attack.
The incident has sparked a renewed debate about security measures for the Jewish community. Councillor Peter Zinken questioned the effectiveness of current reassurance patrols, arguing they offer a false sense of security and fail to address the root causes of the problem. He voiced concerns about protecting the numerous synagogues in the area from similar attacks.
The attack on the Hatzola ambulances is not merely a local incident; it is a stark warning about the rising tide of antisemitism and the urgent need for a comprehensive response. It demands a collective commitment to confront hatred, protect vulnerable communities, and build a society where everyone feels safe and valued.
