update ,First published
London: Two men were stabbed to death in an anti-Semitic attack in London that sparked outrage over attacks on the Jewish community, with the suspected attacker being held on suspicion of attempted murder.
Political leaders condemned the stabbings, which followed a spate of arson attacks on synagogues and Jewish organizations, and called on the Israeli government to do more to stop the threats.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed the attack in London on Wednesday morning (around 10am AEST) and said its officers responded to reports of people being stabbed in Highfield Avenue, Barnet, which borders Golders Green, an area with a large Jewish population in the north of the city.
The police termed it as a terrorist incident.
The injured men, aged 34 and 76, were treated for stab wounds at the scene and taken to hospital, where they are in a stable condition.
“The suspect also attempted to stab police officers, and was Tasered before being arrested. No officers were injured,” police said.
The 45-year-old alleged attacker was arrested on suspicion of murder. Police said they were “working to establish his nationality and background”.
The investigation is being led by specialist officers from the Counter-Terrorism Unit, which highlights concerns over a recent spate of terror attacks on members of the Jewish community.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer thanked Jewish groups and the police for their swift action.
“The anti-Semitic attack in Golders Green is absolutely appalling,” he said. Attacks on our Jewish community are attacks on Britain.
Security organization Shomrim said a suspect was “seen running down Golders Green Road armed with a knife and attempting to stab Jews in public” on Wednesday morning.
It said the suspect was detained by members of the Shomram before being arrested by police, who used a stun gun on the man.
Another organisation, the Community Security Trust, also said a man had been arrested following the stabbing.
The incident follows a spate of arson attacks targeting Jewish sites in London in recent weeks, including a synagogue and a charity ambulance in Golders Green.
An Iranian terrorist group has claimed responsibility for setting fire to Jewish ambulances near a British synagogue, smashing windows and detonating explosives on a residential street.
Counter-terror officers are investigating whether the arson attacks were the work of Iranian proxies.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry posted a video on social media shortly after the attack, showing a man being attacked at a bus stop, and said the British government must do more to stop the problem.
The ministry said that after attacks on synagogues, Jewish institutions, community ambulances and now targeting Jews in Golders Green, the UK government can no longer claim it is in control.
“Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s statements are no substitute for confronting the roots of anti-Semitism spreading across Britain.
“British Jews should not need security patrols and emergency volunteers to live openly as Jews. Words are enough. Britain must act decisively and urgently.”
Assistant Commissioner Lawrence Taylor, head of counter-terrorism policing, said officers were working with security services to ensure a “full intelligence picture” of the attack.
“I can also confirm that it has now been officially declared as a terrorist incident,” he said.
One line of inquiry is whether the attack was deliberately targeting the Jewish community in London.
“Now, that community is strong, but they will be incredibly concerned to see and hear what happened today, especially in light of other events that have happened in recent weeks.
“I want to make it clear that counter-terrorism policing, and police forces up and down the country, are stepping up to provide extra support and reassurance.
“And we ask that the public remain vigilant and stand with the communities that are feeling distressed this evening.”
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David Crowe is the Europe correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.Connect through X. or E-mail
