Two teenagers have been apprehended in connection with a fire attack on a synagogue in London. Authorities are exploring the possibility of Iranian involvement in the incident. Metropolitan Police’s Deputy Commissioner, Matt Jukes, disclosed that a 17-year-old boy and a 19-year-old man were taken into custody following the targeting of Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow. The investigation is focusing on potential Iranian-backed proxies linked to the assault and other recent assaults on the Jewish community.
Jukes expressed concerns about a recurring pattern involving individuals hired for malicious activities, emphasizing the serious consequences they face. He highlighted recent arrests made in connection with a series of attacks on Jewish establishments, an ambulance service run by the Jewish community, and a Persian media organization. The police had earlier reported that an accelerant-filled bottle was thrown through a window of the synagogue causing smoke to fill a room.
In response to the incident, increased patrols have been deployed in the area. Notably, a vigilant officer discovered the damage at the synagogue in the early hours of Sunday. A newly emerged group, Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, claimed responsibility for the assault in a video shared online. Authorities suspect a potential link between the group and Iranian intelligence. The video featured messages in Arabic, English, and Hebrew criticizing the synagogue’s alleged Zionist influence in London.
The attack follows previous incidents targeting Jewish facilities in London, including the torching of ambulances and petrol bomb attacks on synagogues. There were also concerns about potential threats to the Israeli embassy and other Jewish-affiliated locations in the city. The police have been actively pursuing leads to prevent further attacks and ensure the safety of the Jewish community.