In the early hours of 23 March 2026, four ambulances belonging to Hatzola Northwest, a Jewish-led volunteer emergency medical service, were deliberately set alight in Golders Green, north London. The Metropolitan Police have classified the incident as an antisemitic hate crime and deployed counter-terrorism officers to lead the investigation. No injuries were reported, though the blaze triggered multiple explosions from medical gas cylinders on board the vehicles.
The attack occurred at approximately 01:45 GMT in the car park of the Machzike Hadath Synagogue on Highfield Road, where the ambulances are routinely stationed. London Fire Brigade crews, comprising six engines and around 40 firefighters, attended the scene and extinguished the flames. Nearby residents were temporarily evacuated as a precaution after explosions shattered windows in adjacent buildings.
Details of the Incident and Initial Response
Security camera footage released by police appears to show three masked individuals approaching one of the ambulances before it became engulfed in flames. Hatzola Northwest chairman Shloimie Richman confirmed that four of the organisation’s six vehicles were destroyed in what he described as a “deliberately targeted” arson attack. He expressed concern that the incident represented a direct assault on the Jewish community.
Hatzola, established in 1979, provides free emergency medical response and patient transport across north London, serving both Jewish and non-Jewish residents. Laurence Blitz, chair of trustees for Hatzolah UK, stated that the service had continued without interruption, with volunteers responding to calls throughout the day. “What happened overnight is shocking in the extreme,” he said. “The emergency services were magnificent and we are deeply grateful.”
Police Investigation and Possible International Links
The Metropolitan Police have confirmed that the attack is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime rather than a terrorist incident at this stage. Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley indicated that officers are examining an online claim of responsibility from the Islamist group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya (HAYI), which has alleged links to the Iranian state and has claimed other attacks across Europe.
No arrests have been made, but local patrols have been stepped up and inquiries are ongoing. The force has appealed for witnesses and any additional footage that may assist the investigation.
Statements from Political Leaders
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the event as a “deeply shocking antisemitic arson attack” and met Jewish community leaders at Downing Street on 23 March. He announced that the government would fully fund the replacement of the four destroyed ambulances. In a statement to Parliament, Sir Keir emphasised national unity: “This is an attack on this country and on us all.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan condemned the incident as “perverse” and vowed that no Jewish person in the capital should face attack because of events in the Middle East. He pledged additional resources to protect the community and described the targeting of life-saving vehicles as a “dark day for London.”
Reaction from the Jewish Community
The attack has provoked widespread condemnation within the Jewish community and beyond. Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis called the targeting of a volunteer ambulance service “particularly sickening,” noting that it represented an assault on shared humanitarian values.
Local residents and organisations expressed shock but also resilience. The We Believe Alliance stated that the incident constituted both antisemitism and criminal destruction, reaffirming solidarity with Hatzola and the broader Jewish community in Golders Green.
Golders Green, home to one of London’s largest Orthodox Jewish populations, features numerous synagogues, schools and kosher establishments. Community leaders have highlighted a recent rise in antisemitic incidents, urging authorities to address underlying tensions while maintaining calm.
Context and Broader Implications
Hatzola operates as a registered charity reliant on volunteers and donations. In the immediate aftermath, fundraising efforts for replacement vehicles began, with additional support pledged by the London Ambulance Service and government sources.
While the investigation continues, officials have stressed that the attack does not appear to have been preceded by specific threats to the organisation. Police have reiterated their commitment to pursuing all lines of inquiry, including any potential foreign connections, without speculating on motives.
The incident occurs against a backdrop of heightened community security concerns in the United Kingdom. Both political and faith leaders have called for vigilance and unity in the face of hate crime. As inquiries proceed, Hatzola has assured the public that its life-saving operations remain fully operational, underscoring the dedication of its volunteer workforce.