A knife attack on two Jewish men in London is now a terror investigation, as the city grapples with a surge in antisemitic incidents.
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2 Jewish men stabbed in London terror attack amid rising antisemitism
A knife attack on two Jewish men in London is now a terror investigation, as the city grapples with a surge in antisemitic incidents.
Two Jewish men were seriously wounded in a knife attack in north London, an act police have declared a terrorist incident and the latest in a wave of antisemitic violence in the U.K.
"This was an attack on Londoners. It was an attack on British Jews,” Mark Rowley, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, told reporters.
A 45-year-old man was arrested in connection with the Wednesday attack in Golders Green, a neighborhood known for its large Jewish community. The two victims, one in his 70s and one in his 30s, were taken to the hospital and are in stable condition, according to London’s Metropolitan Police. Shomrim, a local Jewish community security group, said its members stopped the assailant and held him until police arrived.
The violence has left British Jews feeling increasingly vulnerable and prompted calls for stronger government action. The number of antisemitic incidents in London more than doubled to 3,700 in 2023 from 1,662 in 2022. The attack is the most recent in a string of antisemitic acts, including an arson attack on a memorial for the victims of the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks in Israel and fires set at a Jewish-owned shop and two synagogues.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the incident “deeply concerning” during an address to Parliament. The government has allocated tens of millions of dollars to improve security for Jewish communities, but leaders say more needs to be done.
“Words of condemnation are no longer sufficient,” Britain’s chief rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, said on X. “This must be a moment that demands meaningful action from every institution, every community, every leader and every decent person in our country.”
Counter Terrorism Policing is leading the investigation and working to determine the attacker’s nationality and background. The increase in attacks began after the U.S. and Israel bombed Iran in February, although antisemitism has been on the rise more broadly in recent years, especially following the Oct. 7 attacks and the ensuing war in Gaza.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
[1] Two Jewish Men Stabbed in Latest U.K. Antisemitic Attack - WSJ[2] Stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green declared as 'terrorist incident'[3] Hero bystanders who stopped Golders Green terror knifeman as he stabbed Jews at random[4] Two Jewish men badly wounded in terrorist stabbing attack in London’s Golders Green; assailant arrested[5] 2 people stabbed in targeted attack on a London Jewish community
