Arrests after attempted arson attack on synagogue

A man and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of arson endangering life after a synagogue in north London had two bottles thought to contain petrol thrown at it.

The attack on the Finchley Reform Synagogue is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime, according to police who arrested the 47-year-old woman and 46-year-old man in the Watford area.

The Met said the suspects, wearing balaclavas, approached the building at about 01:00 BST and threw a brick and two bottles. No damage or injuries were caused.

Last month, four ambulances belonging to a Jewish community charity were set alight in an arson attack - counter terrorism police are involved with both investigations.

Finchley Reform Synagogue Cantor Zoë Jacobs said the synagogue was a "proud, progressive and welcoming space for all".

"This is clearly an attempt to intimidate the British Jewish community," she said. "We will continue to prioritise building bridges across the wider Barnet community and will not be deterred by these cowardly acts.

"As always, our community is being incredibly well supported by the police, the government, CST and all of our key partners."

Sarah Sackman, the Labour MP for Finchley and Golders Green, said: "This shocking attempt to harm a local synagogue follows a series of alarming attacks on the Jewish community in Finchley and Golders Green."

She added that she "refuses to allow this to become the new normal".

"British Jews must be free to go about their lives without fear - whether taking their children to nursery or attending synagogue. We do not want to live behind ever higher walls," she said.

Posting on X, Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan said he was "grateful" for the police's response to the attempted attack.

"While thankfully no one was injured, the Met are urging anyone with information to come forward."

The Community Security Trust (CST), a charity which provides security and monitors antisemitism in the UK, said it was "supporting the affected location and are working closely with the police".

The Jewish Leadership Council, which represents Jewish organisations in the UK, said it was "horrified" by the incident.

The Holocaust Educational Trust said the attempted attack was part of "a broader pattern of rising antisemitism, which must be confronted with urgency".

Det Ch Supt Luke Williams said: "I hope the swift action by officers today to identify and arrest two people provides some reassurance and demonstrates how seriously we take attacks of this nature.

"However, we understand the significant concern the Jewish community will feel at another incident so soon after the arson attack on four ambulances in Golders Green.

"There is no suggestion the matter in Finchley and the incident in Golders Green, for which three people have been charged, are linked.

"Our increased patrols in the Finchley area continue, and I would ask that anyone with concerns speaks to my officers."

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