Terrorist incident declared as two Jewish Londoners 'seriously injured' in attack

Police have declared a terrorist incident after two people were stabbed in a “horrific” knife attack on the Jewish community in Golders Green .

In a message posted on social media on Wednesday, Jewish security group Shomrim said a male had been seen running along Golders Green Road in north London “armed with a knife and attempting to stab Jewish members of the public”.

A 45-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after the victims, one in his 70s and another in his 30s, were stabbed shortly after 11am in Highfield Avenue.

The victims, both Jewish men, were said by the Metropolitan Police to be in hospital in a stable condition.

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The suspected knifeman was Tasered as he attempted to stab police officers, the force said.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said the man had “a history of serious violence and mental health issues”.

While Head of Counter Terrorism Policing Laurence Taylor confirmed that the stabbing has been formally declared to be terrorism.

Another clip was reported to show the suspect pinned to the ground and handcuffed after being detained.

London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan condemned the “appalling” attack and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called it “deeply distrurbing”.

The incident prompted calls for more action to protect the Jewish community from the chief rabbi and the Israeli foreign ministry, following a series of incidents targeting Jewish sites in London.

The victims were reported by the BBC to be ‘”seriously” injured.

A pizza shop worker on Golders Green Road said he helped the elderly stab victim after he saw him bleeding from his neck.

Tariq Aziz, who works at pizza takeaway shop Slice, said: “He came to our shop and then I gave him a tissue and helped him, and then police came suddenly and arrest the guy.”
He said the suspect “wasn’t running away” after the attack and that when the police came, he pointed out the suspect as he was “just walking down there with a knife” and “the police arrested him.”
Sir Sadiq condemned the “appalling attack on two Jewish Londoners”.

He wrote on X: “The police have made an arrest and I’d like to thank all the emergency services and heroic volunteers from @Hatzola@shomrimlondon for their swift response to this horrific incident.

“I’m in close contact with the @MetPoliceUK , who will be providing further updates.

London’s Jewish community have been the target of a series of shocking antisemitic attacks.

“There must be absolutely no place for antisemitism in society.

The Met have stepped up high visibility patrols in the area.

I urge anyone who has any information to call police on 101, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously.”
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis said: “Following the antisemitic stabbing of two Jewish people on the streets of Golders Green this morning, words of condemnation are no longer sufficient.

“This must be a moment that demands meaningful action from every institution, every community, every leader and every decent person in our country.

This is a hatred that we must face down together.”
The Israeli foreign ministry also called for stronger action.

“After attacks on synagogues, Jewish institutions, community ambulances and now Jews targeted in Golders Green, the UK Government can no longer claim this is under control,” it said.

“Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s statements are no substitute for confronting the roots of antisemitism festering across the United Kingdom.

“British Jews should not need security patrols and emergency volunteers to live openly as Jews.

“Enough words.

The UK must act decisively and urgently.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office also wrote on X.

She also said it was too early to say whether the perpetrator of the north London stabbing attack could have links to Iran.

Counter-terror police pearlier this month said they were looking into whether Iranian proxies could be employing “thugs for hire” to carry out the string of arson attacks in London in recent weeks.

In March, Hatzola was targeted by arsonists who destroyed four of its vehicles parked outside a synagogue in Golders Green.

“I do not want Jewish people in our country to be leading a smaller life or to have to build ever higher walls in order to keep themselves safe.

“These are not warm words, they are a statement of intent and what is and what is not acceptable in our country.

“I will not tolerate a situation where our Jewish citizens have to lead smaller lives compared to the rest of us.

That is not acceptable to me.”
The Prime Minister later added on social media: “The antisemitic attack in Golders Green is utterly appalling.

Attacks on our Jewish community are attacks on Britain.

“Thank you to Shomrim , Hatzola and the police for acting swiftly.

Those responsible will be brought to justice.”
Met chief Sir Mark and Sarah Sackman, the Labour MP for Finchley and Golders Green MP were both heckled as they gave a press conference at the scene in Golders Green where they faced shouts of “shame on you” and calls to resign.

In response to questions about whether the Jewish community was safe and could trust the Met to protect them, Mr Rowley said he understood they were afraid.

He said: “This is an awful attack today.

It is completely understandable why Jewish Londoners feel afraid.

“That’s why we’re putting so much extra policing into these events.

And we’re going to be looking at what more we can do in forthcoming weeks.

He praised his officers for confronting the suspect, who they thought might be carrying an explosive, saying: “My first thoughts are with the two British Jews, who were attacked whilst going about their daily lives, which they should be able to do freely and safely in their own local community.

“Before coming here today, I met with them.

They’re nothing short of extraordinary.

They confronted a man they believed to be a terrorist, who refused to show his hands, who was violent and continued to pose a clear threat.

“These were not armed officers, and they feared that he was carrying an explosive device.

“Using only their training, their courage and their tasers, they managed to detain him, whilst he continues to try and attack and stab them.

“They will tell you they were simply doing their jobs but without their bravery, I dread to think what the outcome would have been.”
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “His Majesty is being kept fully informed and is naturally deeply concerned, in particular about the impact for the Jewish community.

“His thoughts and prayers are with the two individuals who were injured and offers his heartfelt gratitude to those who so selflessly rushed to their aid.”