London Golders Green Stabbing Declared Act of Terrorism

Metropolitan Police have classified the stabbing of two Jewish men in North London on Wednesday as an act of terrorism. A 45-year-old suspect is currently in custody on suspicion of attempted murder following the incident in the Golders Green neighborhood.

Counterterrorism detectives probe links to North London arson campaign

The victims, aged 34 and 76, were treated for knife wounds by Hatzola, a volunteer medical service, and remain hospitalized. The investigation has transitioned to counterterrorism detectives who are evaluating whether the attack is connected to a recent series of arson attacks targeting Jewish infrastructure. Since late March, authorities have documented fires at synagogues in Harrow and Finchley, as well as an attack that destroyed four charity ambulances.

Police have arrested 26 people in connection with the broader spree since late February. While a little-known group calling itself Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya (HAYI) has claimed responsibility for several prior incidents, officials stated it is too early to determine if Wednesday’s stabbing was directed by or linked to that organization. Detectives are continuing to investigate potential foreign state involvement in the earlier arson events.

Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Mark Peter Rowley gives a statement at the scene where two Jewish men are seriously injured after being stabbed in Golders Green, north London, England, Wednesday. Police said the incident is being treated as a terrorist incident, with officers investigating whether the attack deliberately targeted the Jewish community. Photo by Tolga Akmen/EPA

Government emergency committee convenes to coordinate response

The severity of the designation prompted Prime Minister Keir Starmer to call a meeting of the government’s emergency committee to discuss the response. In a statement to lawmakers, Starmer described the incident as part of a pattern of offenses targeting the community and noted that a police investigation is moving rapidly. Buckingham Palace also confirmed that King Charles III was receiving updates on the situation.

The Community Security Trust (CST), which provides safety advice and physical security for British Jewish organizations, is working with the Metropolitan Police to increase patrols in the Golders Green area. The suburb is a central hub for the UK’s Jewish population, hosting dozens of synagogues and schools. Mayor Sadiq Khan condemned the violence, stating that local authorities are prioritizing the security of faith-based sites across the capital while the suspect remains in interrogation.