London synagogue ‘attacked with petrol bomb before masked suspects flee scene’

Two petrol bombs were thrown at a north London synagogue in an alleged antisemitic attack.

Two suspects in dark clothing approached Finchley Reform Synagogue shortly after midnight, the Met Police said in a statement.

They threw two bottles, thought to contain petrol, and a brick at the building.

There were no injuries and the building, which houses a nursery, was not damaged.

The suspects were captured on CCTV fleeing the scene in a car.

Witness Franco Di Landro, a gardener on the city of London, said: ‘It was 10.:30pm there was loud bang like a bolder or meteorite hitting in the ground.

‘Next thing there were cops everywhere. There was a hell of a noise when it happened. Now I’m scared. I thought might be an exhaust explosion or vehicle but this is a big deal.’

The synagogue’s senior clergy Cantor Zoe Jacobs said the alleged petrol bombing was ‘an attempt to intimidate the British Jewish community’.

She said: ‘Our synagogue is a proud, progressive and welcoming space for all.

‘We not only hold Jewish services and celebrations but within our community we host a nursery, homeless shelter and are a safe place for refugees to gather. 

‘Last night, two men tried to attack our synagogue and were unsuccessful. This is clearly an attempt to intimidate the British Jewish community, but we will not be deterred by these cowardly acts.’

Local MP Sarah Sackman said: ‘This morning, I became aware of an attempted arson attack at Finchley Reform Synagogue overnight.

‘Thankfully, no one has been hurt. I have been at the synagogue, supporting local residents and community leaders.

‘This shocking attempt to harm a local synagogue follows a series of alarming attacks on the Jewish community in Finchley and Golders Green.

‘As your local MP, and as a member of the community, I refuse to allow this to become the ‘new normal’. British Jews must be free to go about their lives without fear – whether taking their children to nursery or attending synagogue. We do not want to live behind ever higher walls.

‘I thank the CST and Metropolitan Police for their quick and effective response. I will continue to raise the issues of antisemitism and security at the highest levels in Government to protect our community.’

Brian Coleman, who lives across the road from the synagogue and is a former GLA member, told Metro: ‘The Jewish community are really worried. We have never seen this level of unease – Jewish people are thinking of moving to Israel. Some have their bags packed. It’s very sad. Locally police are good. The people doing this are warped. The Jewish people have lived peacefully in London I don’t get it.’

The incident comes just weeks after the arson attack on the Jewish charity-owned Haztola ambulances in Golders Green, in which three people have since been charged with.

Damon Hoff, president of the Machzike Hadian synagogue which was damaged in Hatzola attack, told Metro: ‘Obviously we are trusting that this will again be elevated and clearly the continued need from the highest levels of government to provide continued support and more so mechanisms put in place to lower the temperature across our nation.

‘It’s fair to say things that were once tolerated, particularly in London need to be toned down dramatically.’

Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing in the area, said: ‘We are aware of the significant concern that this incident will cause in the community, particularly in the wake of the arson attack in Golders Green last month. We are working with the affected synagogue and continuing to meet with community leaders.

‘I would like to reassure the community that we take incidents of this nature extremely seriously and detectives are working urgently to identify the suspects.

‘If you have any CCTV, dash cam footage or information that could help officers please contact the police.

‘Residents can expect to see a heightened police presence in the area over the coming days. We have brought in additional officers and would urge anyone with concerns to speak to them.’

Counter-terror police are supporting the investigation into the alleged attack.

The Community Security Trust said: ‘We are aware of an attempted arson overnight at Finchley Reform Synagogue that is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime.

‘There were no injuries and no significant damage to the building. We are supporting the affected location and are working closely with the police as they investigate and seek to identify those responsible.

‘We urge anyone with information to contact the police on 999 and then CST.’

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