israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu The British government has been heavily criticized after a suspected anti-Semitic stabbing in Golders Green, London, in which two Jewish men were seriously injured.The two victims, aged in their 30s and 70s, are currently in stable condition, police said.Netanyahu’s office called for stronger measures, saying “a weak state of affairs led to an anti-Semitic attack in London”, adding that “words are not enough to deal with this scourge”. It calls for “decisive action” to protect British Jews and ensure perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice. The attack heightened political pressure on Britain’s leadership as concerns grow over a series of incidents targeting Jewish communities and institutions in the British capital.
Suspect identified as British national of Somali origin
According to the Metropolitan Police, the suspect is a 45-year-old British citizen born in Somalia. He was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and was hospitalized briefly before being taken into custody.Police confirmed the suspect was also linked to another incident in southeast London that day, which involved a knife argument that left a resident with minor injuries.Officers are also searching a property in south-east London as part of the investigation.The counterterrorism policing unit is leading the investigation, and authorities said they were looking into possible terrorist links and the suspect’s background, including a history of violence and mental health issues.
Police treat the case as a terrorism investigation
The Metropolitan Police said the investigation was being led by counter-terrorism officers who were “working to establish the full circumstances and any potential links to extremist motives”.Authorities also confirmed that the suspect allegedly attempted to assault responding officers during the incident.Video circulating online reportedly showed bystanders and security volunteers intervening before police arrested the attacker.
Starmer calls attack ‘extremely shocking’
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the stabbing, calling it “extremely shocking” and stressing that “an attack on our Jewish community is an attack on Britain.” He said the government was increasing funding for community safety and working to “eradicate anti-Semitism wherever it appears”, including in public institutions.Downing Street called the incident “deeply shocking” and acknowledged growing concern within the Jewish community.
Series of anti-Semitic incidents
The stabbing in Golders Green came amid wider attacks and security threats in London, including arson attacks on Jewish emergency vehicles and vandalism near synagogues.Community organizations reported nearly 3,700 anti-Semitic incidents last year, more than double the previous year’s number.London Mayor Sadiq Khan said “anti-Semitism has no place in society”, while King Charles III expressed “deep concern” and offered support to the victims and the Jewish community.Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said “words of condemnation are no longer enough” and urged all institutions to take “meaningful action.”Israel’s foreign ministry responded to Netanyahu’s criticism, saying British Jews did not need “security patrols and emergency volunteers” to live safely and calling for urgent government action.
