SouthernWorldwide.com – British counter-terrorism police are investigating a recent arson incident at a former synagogue in east London. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the fire was deliberately set, and the investigation is being treated as arson.
Surveillance footage captured the moment the fire was started early Tuesday morning. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and no arrests have been made in connection with the incident.
This event occurred as Prime Minister Keir Starmer convened a meeting with community leaders, government officials, and law enforcement to address what he described as a “crisis” of antisemitic violence in London.
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The arson attack follows a series of concerning incidents targeting the Jewish community. Just last week, two Jewish men were stabbed in the northern part of the capital. Several synagogues and Jewish sites have also been subjected to antisemitic attacks in London since March.
During the meeting on Tuesday, Prime Minister Starmer indicated that authorities are exploring the possibility of foreign state involvement in some of these incidents. He stated that one line of inquiry is whether a foreign state has been behind some of these events.
A group identified as Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, which translates to The Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Righteous, has reportedly claimed responsibility for recent antisemitic attacks in Britain and other European countries over the past few months. This group is believed to have links to Iran.
Prime Minister Starmer issued a strong warning, stating, “Our message to Iran or to any other country that might seek to promote violence, hatred or division in society is that it will not be tolerated.”
He further indicated that there would be “consequences” if Iran is proven to be involved in these attacks. The Prime Minister also announced that new legislation aimed at combating “malign threats” would be expedited.
In March, a representative of the Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia group had previously told CBS News that their targets would include “U.S. and Israeli interests worldwide until we’ve avenged every child in Gaza, Iran, Lebanon, and the resistance nations.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Brittany Clarke, who is leading the policing efforts in the affected area, commented on the incident. She acknowledged that while the targeted building had not been in active use as a synagogue for several years, this fact would offer little solace to the Jewish community in Tower Hamlets, Hackney, and surrounding areas.
Clarke expressed her immediate thoughts were with the members of the Jewish community who might be affected by this incident.
