Golders Green ambulance attack is ‘terrorism’, ministers told as anger erupts

The firebombing of four Jewish community ambulances is terrorism, Suella Braverman has warned.

The former Home Secretary said a failure “to ban the hate marches and a tolerance of antisemitism have led us to this”.

Shocking CCTV footage shows three thugs torching the ambulances in the early hours of Monday morning, prompting outrage and revulsion.

Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: “Let’s call this what it is: terrorism.

“Two tier policing, failure to ban the hate marches and a tolerance of antisemitism have led us to this.

“Spineless governments -Tory and Labour – have utterly failed to stop the poison of extremism from spreading on our streets.

“Sick of it.”

The Metropolitan Police confirmed it was treating the suspected arson attack as an anti-Semitic hate crime.

Reform leader Nigel Farage added: “The horrible attack on volunteer ambulances is part of a rising tide of hate against Jewish communities in Britain. As I write, more undocumented young men are crossing the Channel. Many will be from Iran — we have an open door to potential enemies.”

The London Fire Brigade said six fire engines and 40 firefighters raced to the scene after they received calls from residents at around 1.45am.

The fire was brought under control by 3.06am and no one was injured.

Firefighters said multiple cylinders inside the vehicles exploded, causing windows to shatter in an adjacent block of flats.

Attacks on the Jewish community have risen worldwide since Hamas’s assault on Israel on Oct 7, 2023, and the war in Gaza that followed.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: “This is a hideous antisemitic attack on a charity which provides vital ambulance services.

“I visited Hatzola myself just a few months ago and saw the incredible work they do.

“The Jewish community has been targeted again and again – including in the Islamist attack on Heaton Park synagogue last autumn.

“Whoever is guilty of this sickening crime must go to jail for a long time – and if they are not British citizens, they must then be deported.

“We must make sure that the UK is safe for our Jewish community and we must relentlessly work to eliminate the ancient scourge of antisemitism.”

Jewish community leaders condemned the attack, with the Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis saying the targeting of the volunteer service was “particularly sickening”.

And Sir Keir Starmer said: “This is a deeply shocking antisemitic arson attack.

“My thoughts are with the Jewish community who are waking up this morning to this horrific news.

“Antisemitism has no place in our society.

“Anyone with any information must come forward to the police.”