Jewish community responds to Golders Green Hatzola arson attack
Leaders and communal organisations speak up in the wake of targeting of Jewish volunteer medic organisation ambulances
Jewish community leaders have spoken out in the wake of the firebombing of Hatzola ambulances in Golders Green in the early hours of Monday morning, describing their determination to respond to the “sickening assault” with “strength and resolve”.
Widely shared CCTV footage shows three men, dressed in black, approaching the emergency vehicles in Highfield Road, Golders Green, parked in a lot adjacent to the orthodox Machzike Hadath synagogue, and fleeing the scene as roaring flames appear.
Six fire engines and 40 firefighters were sent to the scene, with the blaze finally brought under control at 03:06. The incident, being urgently investigated by the Metropolitan Police, is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime.
Hatzola North West, which serves Hendon, Golders Green, Finchley, Mill Hill, Hampstead and Colindale, provides a volunteer-led, free life saving service to community members across north west London of all faiths and none.
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis called the deliberate arson attacks “a particularly sickening assault – not only on the Jewish community, but on the values we share as a society. Our Hatzola volunteer ambulance corps is an extraordinary service, whose sole mission is to protect life, Jewish and non-Jewish alike.”
He added: “The targeting of Hatzola by people so committed to terror, hatred and the desecration of life is a most painful illustration of the ongoing battle between those who sanctify life and those who seek to destroy it. At a time when Jewish communities around the world are facing a growing pattern of these violent attacks, we will meet this moment with shared resolve and stand together against hatred and intimidation.”
Phil Rosenberg, President of the Board of Deputies, said: “Ambulances, like those of the wonderful Hatzola organisation, point to the Jewish obligation to ‘choose life’.
“By contrast, the despicable individuals who committed an arson attack on ambulances in Golders Green this morning show the emptiness of their cause.
“While the motives are unclear at this stage, this attack comes in the context of rising antisemitism around the world. This is a threat not just to the Jewish community but to our societies as a whole.
“We thank the emergency services, the Community Security Trust, Shomrim and Hatzola for their rapid response and their work to keep us safe every day. We urge the public to support the police in finding the perpetrators and bringing them to justice.
“The UK Jewish community will meet the moment with strength, pride and resolve. We will replace the ambulances, and continue our service to this nation that we love.
“We shall not be moved.”
CST noted that the attack “has obvious comparison to similar recent attacks in Belgium and the Netherlands. No injuries have been reported at this time and we are helping @MPSBarnet with their enquiries. CST thanks all those who responded from 999 emergency agencies; and @shomrimlondon, @Hatzola and our own CST volunteers.”
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme this morning, CST’s chief executive Mark Gardner shared: “There is a sense of fear around being Jewish…a sense of isolation about the relative lack of reaction to the news of Iranian agents targeting Jews…The position of British Jews has become ever more pressurized. Ambulances being blown up in the middle of the night in London is also an attack on Britain and it is important it is regarded as such.”
The Israeli Embassy in London said: “Antisemitism is rampant on the streets of London. Firebombing ambulances is not an anomaly, it is the consequence, after years of hate-filled marches, incitement and intimidation being tolerated in plain sight. Enough is enough. There must be a through investigation and decisive action to put an end to this climate of intimidation before it spirals further. Silence and inaction are no longer an option.”
Saul Taylor, president of the United Synagogue wrote: “Hatzola is a much-loved and much-used service by our members and the wider Jewish community. The despicable arson is the latest shocking attack on British Jews. How much hate must you have for Jews to want to burn down community ambulances?”
The Jewish Leadership Council said: “We are horrified by the antisemitic arson attack on Hatzola ambulances in Golders Green this morning.
“Hatzola ambulances provide an extraordinary, life- saving service to Jews and non-Jews alike. It is particularly sickening that someone’s hatred of Jews drives them to target vital ambulance services in this way. We are relieved that no one has been harmed.
It is essential that those responsible are brought to justice. This attack comes in the context of a tidal wave of hatred against Jewish people in recent years. It has been almost six months since a deadly Islamist attack on a synagogue in this country. We have also seen other plots foiled by the work of the security services.
“This is not just an attack on Jews but an attack on Britain and its values. Our society can’t just be outraged, it must act to show that extremism and hatred will not be tolerated.”
In a message of solidarity, Daniel Burger, chief executive of MDA UK, said: “First responder volunteers delivering emergency support are a cornerstone of any civilised nation. Attacks on them are despicable attacks on us all.”
The Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester said it was “appalled”, describing Hatzola as “a service that our community holds in the highest regard and with deep affection. Its volunteers are on call day and night, providing lifesaving care with extraordinary dedication. This service is not only to the Jewish community, but to anyone in need.
“To target Hatzola is not only an attack on the Jewish community, it is an attack on society as a whole. We stand in full solidarity with Hatzola’s volunteers and with the wider Jewish community in London. We are grateful that no lives were lost, and we pay tribute to the courage and resilience of those who will continue their work despite this hateful act. There is no place for antisemitism or hatred in our country. We urge all communities and leaders to stand together in condemning this hateful attack and the Government to start implementing its extremism strategy urgently.”
A spokesperson from Shomrim NW London said: “We strongly condemn the deliberate anti semitic attack on Hatzola ambulances in NW London. This was not only a criminal act of arson, but a targeted and deeply concerning incident affecting a vital emergency service serving the Jewish community.
“Hatzola provides life-saving medical care to all who need it. An attack on these ambulances is an attack on the safety, wellbeing, and resilience of our community.
We are working closely with the police and all relevant authorities and assisting with the ongoing investigation. There is no place for antisemitism or hate in our society. We stand united and will continue to support and protect our community We thank the police and fire brigade for their swift, professional response and for ensuring the safety of the public.”
A Campaign Against Antisemitism spokesperson said: “We are absolutely heartbroken that this is how low Britain has sunk. This horrific act truly plumbs new depths.
“Hatzola is a volunteer-run ambulance service run by the Jewish community but catering to everyone, Jews and non-Jews alike, working with the NHS to save lives as fast as possible. They provide outstanding medical care at lightning speed every hour of every day, and fundraise to buy ambulances and equipment. They are truly a shining example of the Jewish community coming together to help everyone in the most fundamental of ways by giving the gift of life. Burning their ambulances in an attempt to put them out of action is a truly repulsive act of antisemitic hatred in a Britain where Jews now have to keep everything from schools to synagogues under constant guard.
“Our society has become infested with the sickness of antisemitism. In this case it is not only about catching the perpetrators and restoring the ambulances, but about politicians accepting that by tolerating everything from hate marches to hate preachers, they have created this sickening mess, and time has run out for them to act.
“The law must change, fast, but so must society. The people spewing obsessive conspiracy theories about Jews, Zionists and Israelis are not social justice warriors, they are hateful bigots who are feeding this madness and must be stood up to and told as much by ordinary decent people.”
Run by volunteers, Hatzola North West has served the north London community since 1979. Fundraising efforts to replace the destroyed emergency vehicles have already exceeded £250k.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
