London police are actively searching for two suspects involved in an attempted arson attack on a synagogue in Finchley, North London. The incident occurred shortly after midnight when the suspects, dressed in dark clothing and balaclavas, threw two bottles suspected to contain petrol at the synagogue, but the devices failed to ignite, according to the Metropolitan Police.
The police are treating the attack as an antisemitic hate crime and are conducting the investigation with support from counterterrorism detectives. This event follows a recent surge in antisemitic incidents across the United Kingdom, particularly since the escalation of the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Recent Antisemitic Incidents in the UK
This attempted attack comes less than a month after an arson attack targeted ambulances managed by the Jewish volunteer medical organization Hatzola in London, where four vehicles were destroyed. The attack on March 23 has resulted in charges against two men and a boy. Hatzola provides free emergency medical transportation to London’s Jewish communities.
In October 2025, a deadly attack on a synagogue in Manchester during Yom Kippur resulted in two fatalities and three serious injuries, raising concerns about community safety. Subsequent legal actions saw two men convicted for plotting an ISIS-inspired gun attack on a Jewish event in Manchester earlier this year.
Authorities are also monitoring suspected foreign influences: two Iranians were charged in March in London for allegedly spying on the local Jewish community on behalf of Tehran. Additionally, a shadowy group believed to have ties to the pro-Iranian regime has claimed responsibility for recent antisemitic attacks on Jewish sites and targets in Europe and pledged further attacks on U.S. and Israeli interests worldwide.
Why it matters
The attempted arson in Finchley underscores increasing security threats facing Jewish communities in the UK amid heightened global tensions. Rising antisemitic incidents have prompted law enforcement to step up protections and investigations, highlighting persistent vulnerabilities and the impact of international conflicts on domestic hate crimes.
Background
According to the Community Security Trust, 3,700 antisemitic incidents were recorded in the UK last year, a 4% increase from 2024. These figures reflect long-term trends of antisemitism, exacerbated by geopolitical events. Law enforcement agencies continue to track and respond to these threats through specialized units and cooperation with community organizations.
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