Met police considering if Iranian regime funding is behind terror attacks on UK Jews
In the last month, 5 different Jewish sites in London have been targeted, with all the attacks claimed by a group calling itself 'Ashab Al-Yamin'
The Metropolitan police is now openly considering whether the Iranian regime is paying people in the UK to carry out hate crimes against the Jewish community, with senior officers warning that “we will not rest until those responsible for these acts are held to full account.”
In a statement this afternoon outside Kenton United Synagogue, the latest Jewish site to be targeted in an attempted firebombing, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans said: “Counter Terrorism Policing are leading the investigations into all these incidents. The nature of the incidents has been similar – arson attacks targeting Israeli and Jewish linked premises in London.
“Most have been claimed online by the group Ashab al-Yamin (Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right).
“This same group has claimed several incidents over recent months at places of worship, business and financial institutions across Europe. These locations all appear to be linked to Jewish or Israeli interests.
“I want to be clear, irrespective of the motivation of this group, to those facilitating on their behalf and those committing the acts – we will not tolerate activity which seeks to intimidate or frighten our communities. You will not succeed in creating division and hate.”
In the last month, 5 different Jewish sites in London have been targeted, with all the attacks claimed by ‘Ashab Al-Yamin’. The firebombing of four ambulances in Golders Green in March has been followed in the last week by the attempted firebombing of Finchley Reform Synagogue, a supposed attempt to target the Israeli embassy using drones, an attempted firebombing on the former site of the “Jewish Futures” charity in Hendon on Friday night, and the firebombing of Kenton United Synagogue late on Saturday night.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Evans added: “As the conflict in the Middle East continues to evolve, Counter Terrorism Policing and our partners remain alive to the threat of Iranian state aggression in the UK. We are aware of public reporting that this group may have links to Iran. As you would expect we will explore the question of motivation and direction as our investigations continue.
“I have spoken at length of the Iranian regime’s routine uses of criminal proxies. We are considering whether this tactic is being used here in London – recruiting violence as a service. Individuals carrying out these crimes often have no allegiance to the cause and are taking quick cash for their crimes.
“To anyone even considering getting involved – my message to you would be this – the stakes are high – and it is absolutely not worth the risk for a small reward. Those tasking you will not be there when you are arrested and face court. You will be used once and thrown away without a second thought.
“When we identify you, we will seek to prosecute you, this will include considering offences under the National Security Act which comes with a significant sentence and lifetime restrictions.”
Last year, after Australia’s security services (ASIO) confirmed that the Iranian regime had been paying people in Australia to target the country’s Jewish community, the regime’s ambassador was expelled and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps proscribed. Key Jewish community leaders in the UK have repeatedly urged the government to proscribe the IRGC in full – something they promised to do when in opposition.
Speaking outside Kenton United Synagogue, Met police Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes said: “We are seeing a concerted campaign against Londoners, and specifically, against British Jews.”
Jukes called for “vigilance from every community in support of those who are being targeted. It means all communities speaking out against this antisemitism and intimidation, as well as people providing information to police that will help us tackle crime and deter terrorism.”
He described how “we are out on the streets, seen and unseen, and we are making arrests”. He added that “without commenting on the live investigations, we have seen other cases of thugs for hire who commit criminal acts and intimation on behalf of others.
“Vicki and I can stand here today and be 100 per cent clear that the teams we have led have put people in prison who thought they could make easy money that way. Let’s be really clear – it’s a mug’s game.
“That’s what people who are now serving long prison sentences have found out, and the same fate awaits those responsible for these recent crimes.”
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