A wave of fear washed over the Jewish community in Golders Green after a brazen arson attack destroyed four vital Hatzola ambulances in the early hours of Monday. The vehicles, essential for emergency medical response, were reduced to charred remains after their oxygen tanks exploded, representing a loss of over £1 million.
The attack, currently under investigation by counter-terror detectives, has sparked a hunt for three masked individuals. Investigators are exploring potential links to groups backed by the Iranian regime, while also treating the incident as a potential hate crime. Witnesses reported a man questioning locals about the ambulance service just hours before the blaze, a detail now central to the police inquiry.
Amidst the shock and concern, a remarkable announcement offered a beacon of hope. King Charles has accepted the role of patron for the Community Safety Trust (CST), an organization dedicated to protecting Jewish communities. The news, revealed at a fundraising dinner, was met with profound gratitude and described as “enormous and fantastic” by community leaders.
Damon Hoff, president of the Machzike Hadath Synagogue – the ambulance service’s base – spoke of the significance of the King’s support. “To have the King standing shoulder to shoulder with us is really something,” he said, emphasizing the deep connection the community feels towards the monarchy, particularly during this difficult time.
The synagogue itself narrowly escaped devastation. Stained glass windows were shattered by the blast, and the roof sustained damage, but a larger catastrophe was averted. “It’s a miracle that more damage was not done,” Hoff explained, relief evident in his voice. Despite the attack, prayers were held, and the community swiftly resumed its activities.
For Peter Williams, a Hatzola ambulance driver for over two decades, the King’s patronage was particularly meaningful. He expressed devastation over the loss of the ambulances, stressing their service extended to the entire community, not just Jewish residents. “I’m dumbfounded that anyone could attack them,” he stated, urging a swift apprehension of the perpetrators.
The CST, boasting over 2,000 volunteers, provides crucial security advice and resources to Jewish schools, organizations, and synagogues across the UK. The King’s acceptance of the patronage underscores his long-standing commitment to the Jewish community and the fight against antisemitism, a commitment demonstrated through his previous support of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust.
This gesture of solidarity arrives at a time when antisemitism is demonstrably on the rise. Recent figures reveal Jewish people experience the highest rate of religious hate crimes in England and Wales, with over 106 incidents per 10,000 population. The CST independently recorded nearly 3,700 anti-Jewish hate incidents in the past year, a 4% increase from the previous year.
As detectives meticulously review CCTV footage, tracing the route of a vehicle seen near the ambulances moments after the attack, police have increased patrols – including armed officers – to reassure and protect the Jewish community. The King’s patronage serves as a powerful symbol of support during a period of heightened vulnerability and fear.
The King’s dedication to remembrance is also deeply felt within the community. His visit to Auschwitz last year, marking the 80th anniversary of its liberation, and his commissioning of portraits of Holocaust survivors, stand as poignant testaments to his respect for the past and his determination to prevent such atrocities from ever happening again.
