THE Archbishops of Canterbury and York have joined faith leaders in condemning the “completely abhorrent and unjustifiable” anti-Semitic attack on four ambulances belonging to a Jewish charity in Golders Green, London, in the early hours of Monday.
The ambulances belong to Hatzola, a not-for-profit Jewish volunteer organisation established in 1979 to provide a free emergency medical response service and transportation to hospital in the north London community. It responds to about 1000 emergencies each year.
The Metropolitan Police report that the arson attack on Highfield Road is being treated as an “anti-Semitic hate crime”. Counter-terrorism officers may be involved in the investigation.
Multiple cylinders in the vehicles exploded, causing the windows of nearby flats to implode. Some residents were evacuated to a local shelter as a precaution. Six fire engines and about 40 firefighters were sent to contain the blaze, which has since been extinguished.
Posting on X, the Chief Rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, said that the attacks were “a particularly sickening assault — not only on the Jewish community, but on the values we share as a society.
“Our Hatzola volunteer ambulance corps is an extraordinary service, whose sole mission is to protect life, Jewish and non-Jewish alike.
“The targeting of Hatzola by people so committed to terror, hatred, and the desecration of life is a most painful illustration of the ongoing battle between those who sanctify life and those who seek to destroy it.”
He concluded: “At a time when Jewish communities around the world are facing a growing pattern of these violent attacks, we will meet this moment with shared resolve and stand together against hatred and intimidation.”
Archbishop Mullally said in a statement posted on social media: “My prayers are with the Jewish community after the appalling anti-Semitic attack on Hatzola ambulances in Golders Green. Such acts of violence, hatred, and intimidation have no place in our society.”
Similarly, Archbishop Cottrell said that his thoughts and prayers were with “the Jewish community and all those sickened and appalled by the violent anti-Semitic attack. . .
“This is a completely abhorrent and unjustifiable attack on the Jewish community and on all who are engaged in health in this country. We stand together against prejudice, discrimination, and hatred that leads to acts of violence.”
The Bishop of Edmonton, Dr Anderson Jeremiah, posted an image of himself and Damon Hoff, president and chair of Machzike Hadath Synagogue, which is opposite the scene of the fire, writing: “Antisemitism has no home here. Met with Damon Hoff . . . We stand in total solidarity with our Jewish neighbours. Peace must prevail.”
The Bishop of Kirkstall, the Rt Revd Arun Arora, said that he was “holding in prayer” all those affected, including the Jewish community in Leeds, who, he said, were “feeling fearful” in the wake of the attack.
