Jewish leaders warn community is ‘very anxious’ as security fears rise after

The Jewish community in London is preparing for the possibility of a chemical terror attack as fears grow following a string of recent incidents .

Phil Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, revealed that specialist equipment has been bought to respond to such scenarios.

This includes kits designed to stem heavy bleeding as well as equipment to deal with potential chemical exposure.

Speaking on BBC London Politics on Sunday, Mr Rosenberg said the capital’s Jewish population of around 150,000 people was feeling “very anxious”.

He pointed to a recent arson attack on Jewish ambulances in Golders Green , north London, as well as wider concerns following a rise in anti-Semitic incidents.

“We’ve had two-and-a half-years of very high levels of anti-Semitism , obviously, the deadly attack at Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester just in October, and now this incident, an arson attack in the heart of London’s Jewish community in Golders Green,” he said.

“So, the community does feel very anxious.

It is nonetheless a very resilient and proud community, and we are looking at how we push back and build back stronger.”
Asked about the Government’s response, Mr Rosenberg, a deputy at a north London synagogue, added: “On the way here, I was looking at my WhatsApps.

“I saw one come in from my synagogue, and it was talking not about the great services we put on, the outreach to local communities, the wonderful art and charity that we do, but about a series of kits we’ve just received that will help the community if there’s an attack to stem the flow of blood, or if there’s a chemical attack, that is the situation we’re facing.”
The equipment has been funded through a £28.4 million Government grant to the Community Security Trust , which provides protection and security support for Jewish sites across the UK.

Mr Rosenberg, a former Labour councillor in Camden, said: “It’s sad that it’s needed, though, because what we need to do is prevent this and create a situation where those things are not the things we’re talking about, and those are not the things we need.”
The comments come just days after four Hatzola ambulances were destroyed in a suspected antisemitic arson attack in Golders Green .

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Counter-terror police are leading the inquiry and two British men arrested over the blaze have since been released on bail.

The warning comes as tensions with Iran continue to escalate, with waves of drones and missiles launched across the Middle East in recent weeks targeting military sites and key infrastructure .

The growing conflict has raised fears of wider instability, with Western allies on high alert and UK forces already involved in intercepting incoming drones in the region.

Security experts have warned the fallout is not confined to the Middle East, with the risk of knock-on threats in Europe increasing as the situation intensifies.