UK police declare stabbing of two Jewish men a terrorist incident

British police arrested a man after two people were stabbed in an area of north London with a large Jewish population, a community ​organisation said ‌on Wednesday, amid a recent spate of anti-Semitic ⁠attacks in the capital.

The stabbing was being treated as a terrorist incident, said London's Metropolitan Police. 

A 45-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. "We are working to establish his nationality and background," said a statement by the Metropolitan Police. 

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"The suspect attempted to stab police officers, and was Tasered before being arrested. No officers were injured," the statement said. "Two men – one in his 70s and one in his 30s – were treated at the scene for stab wounds. They have been taken to hospital and both are in a stable condition," said the police.

Metropolitan Police chief Mark Rowley said the suspect had “a history of serious violence and mental health issues.”

The Jewish organisation, Shomrim, said on X that a man was seen running with a ‌knife in Golders Green and attempting to stab Jewish members of ⁠the public, before he was detained. 

'Appalling attack'

Politicians condemned the attack, which follows a string of arson attacks on synagogues and other Jewish sites in the city.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said ”attacks on our Jewish community are attacks on Britain". He urged full cooperation on the police investigation.

Read moreUK's Starmer 'appalled' by spate of arson attacks against London Jewish sites

King Charles III, on a state visit to the US, said he was "deeply concerned" over the stabbing incident.

"His Majesty is being kept fully informed and is naturally deeply concerned, in particular about the impact for the Jewish community," the palace said. 

"His thoughts and prayers are with the two individuals who were injured and offers his heartfelt gratitude to those who so selflessly rushed to their aid."

London Mayor Saddiq Khan called it an "appalling attack on two Jewish Londoners".

Israel's foreign ministry urged the UK government to swiftly take action against anti-Semitism following the stabbing.

"After attacks on synagogues, Jewish institutions, community ambulances and now Jews targeted in Golders Green, the UK government can no longer claim this is under control," the ministry wrote on X.

"Prime Minister Keir Starmer's statements are no substitute for confronting the roots of antisemitism festering across United Kingdom ... Enough words. The UK must act decisively and urgently," it added.

A pro-Iranian group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiyya (HAYI), which has said it was behind some of the recent London arson attacks and other similar ​ones across Europe, claimed responsibility on social media for Wednesday's stabbings.

Police have previously said they were assessing such online claims but have not confirmed their authenticity.

"We know that some individuals are being encouraged, persuaded or paid to commit acts of violence on behalf of foreign organisations and hostile states," Rowley said.

Arson attacks on synagogues

Over the last month, London police have arrested more than two dozen people as part of investigations into attacks on Jewish-linked premises, including the torching ​of ambulances, and attempted arson attacks on synagogues.

Read moreUK police make eight further arrests after arson attacks on Jewish sites

Police said they were investigating ​possible Iranian links to some of the incidents, and ​pro-Iranian group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiyya has claimed some of the latest attacks on social media.

Officials have warned ​recently that Iran has sought to use criminal proxies to carry out hostile activity in the UK.

That warning comes at a time when anti-Semitic attacks have been rising in Britain, since the October 2023 Hamas assault ⁠on Israel that triggered the war in Gaza.

The most severe antisemitic incident last year was ⁠the Manchester attack which ​killed two Jewish worshippers during Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP and Reuters)