NW London synagogue targeted in arson attack, the 3rd Jewish site hit in less than a week

A synagogue in northwest London was targeted in an arson attack overnight, the latest in a string of assaults on Britain’s Jewish community in recent weeks, a community security organization says.

There was minor smoke damage to a room inside Kenton United Synagogue, the Community Security Trust (CST) says, after police and fire teams were called overnight to the Jewish house of worship.

It is the third attack on a Jewish site in the UK capital in recent days.

On Friday night there was an arson attack on a London building that was formerly used by a Jewish organization. The building in the Hendon neighborhood still displayed the sign for Jewish Futures, an educational organization.

On Wednesday, an arson attack was carried out on a synagogue in nearby Finchley.

Additionally, on Wednesday evening, a burning object was thrown toward the offices of Persian media outlet Iran International, which is heavily critical of Iran’s clerical leadership.

On Friday, British police said they were investigating a security incident near the Israeli Embassy after a group posted online that it had targeted the premises with drones carrying “dangerous substances.”

In late March, four Jewish community ambulances were torched in Golders Green, also in north London.

All of the attacks prior to the Kenton incident were claimed by an Iran-tied group called Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiyyah.

These attacks have usually involved arson or small improvised explosive devices, attacks conducted at night, and the rapid release online of propaganda videos.

Jewish premises targeted in other countries, including Belgium and the Netherlands, have included synagogues, restaurants, and a Jewish school.

Given this heightened risk, all Jewish institutions must strictly adhere to existing security protocols, CST says.