The latest attack on a Jewish site in the British capital hit the Kenton United Synagogue and caused minor damage.
Published on 19 April 2026
The United Kingdom’s Metropolitan Police are investigating whether recent arson attacks on Jewish sites in north London may be linked to Iranian proxies.
Following an overnight arson attack at the Kenton United Synagogue in north-west London, the Met Police said on Sunday that counter terrorism policing was investigating the incidents.
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No one has been injured in the fire incidents, with the recent fire causing minor damage.
Vicki Evans, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, said most of the attacks were claimed by the Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiyya group (Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right), often referred to as Ashab al-Yamin.
He said the group has claimed several incidents in Europe in recent months at places of worship as well as business and financial institutions.
Evans said that police were “aware of public reporting that this group may have ties to Iran”.
She said she had previously spoken out about Iran’s “routine use of criminal proxies” and that police were considering whether this tactic of “recruiting violence as a service” was being used in London.
Asahb al-Yameen emerged online in March and has claimed responsibility for several attacks on Jewish sites in Europe. It also claimed responsibility for an attack on the Persian-language Iran International news channel in London.
Recent arson incidents in London include a bottle containing accelerant thrown inside the Finchley Reform Synagogue in north London on Wednesday and the setting of a Jewish-owned Hatzolah ambulance in the car park of a synagogue in Golders Green on March 23. On Friday night, a man tried to burn a bag containing three bottles of liquid outside the former premises of the Jewish Futures charity in Hendon.
Britain’s chief rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, said the Kenton fire was the third “cowardly” attack on Jewish sites in the British capital in less than a week.
“A sustained campaign of violence and intimidation against Britain’s Jewish community is gaining momentum,” Mirvis said on X.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was “appalled” by the recent attacks on Jewish sites and that those responsible would be brought to justice.
“This is disgusting and will not be tolerated. Attacks on our Jewish community are attacks on Britain,” he said in a post on Twitter.
