Police investigate suspected arson attack at ex-synagogue in east London

Counter-terrorism police are investigating whether a fire at a former synagogue in east London is part of an arson campaign linked to Iran.

Police said the latest fire broke out at the building on Nelson Street, in Tower Hamlets.

The synagogue, which is of cultural significance to London’s Jewish community, had been disused since 2020, and a Muslim group had recently been trying to buy it.

It has Hebrew lettering on its exterior and a Star of David at its entrance, which was protected by a gate. The damage from the fire appeared to be minor and confined to the pavement.

Last year “free Palestine” and “kill the zionists” was daubed on the building’s exterior.

Witnesses to Tuesday morning’s attack said an attempt was made to break the window and throw something through it, similar to previous attacks on synagogues in Finchley and Harrow last month.

At least two men wearing hoods were caught on CCTV carrying out the attack.

The Metropolitan police said CCTV captured the fire being started deliberately at 5.10am, hours before Keir Starmer held talks on how to better protect Britain’s Jewish community.

Since March a group believed by counter-terrorism officials to be acting on behalf of Iran have claimed responsibility for a series of arson attacks in Britain and Europe.

Several in Britain have targeted Jewish sites and added to a sense of anxiety felt by communities in the UK. Since they began, the Met has increased resources to protect and reassure people.

Police said “minor damage was caused to a set of gates and a lock at the front of the building” in the latest attack.

A group linked to Iran known as Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia (HAYI) has claimed responsibility for previous attacks on social media, usually accompanied by video footage of the attack that was shot by those staging it and not publicly available.

HAYI also claimed responsibility for the stabbing on Wednesday of two Jewish men in Golders Green, north London, though investigators are sceptical about that claim.

After Tuesday morning’s fire, a Telegram channel linked to HAYI noted the arson attempt, but made no claims of responsibility.

The synagogue was known as the East London Central Synagogue, and opened in 1923. It closed 97 years later after its roof collapsed.

The police’s search for a motive has been complicated by the fact that aMuslim group is in the process of acquiring the site, having in February paid a deposit.

The Ashaadibi Education and Cultural Centre said in a statement: “We unequivocally condemn this cowardly act of arson and any form of violence or intimidation directed at places of worship and the communities they serve. An attack on a house of worship is an attack on all of us.”

Leon Silver, president of the former synagogue, said: “I was absolutely shocked and horrified. I have only just stopped shaking. Four generations of my family have been involved with this synagogue so it means an awful lot to me.”

The Met said officers were called just before 5.15am by the London fire brigade. DCS Brittany Clarke said: “The building targeted has not been operational as a synagogue for some years but that will be of little comfort to the Jewish community in Tower Hamlets, Hackney and beyond… Local residents can expect to see an increased police presence in the area while inquiries into this incident continue.”

Commander Helen Flanagan, the head of counter-terrorism policing London, said: “This incident follows on from a number of arsons and attempted arsons targeting Jewish Londoners in the north-west of the city and we will be considering any potential links as their investigation gets under way. .”

The spate of attacks on Jewish targets has led the Met to set up a special 100-strong squad.

The Met said: “British Jews now appear on the hate lists of every major extremist movement: extreme rightwing groups, Islamist terrorists, elements of the extreme left and hostile state actors. It is a deeply concerning convergence, and Jewish communities are living with the consequences of that risk daily.”

The Met is trying to convince some critical voices in the Jewish community that they are taking the threats to them seriously.