Two petrol bombs were thrown at Finchley Reform Synagogue in north London, United Kingdom, in what police are treating as a suspected antisemitic attack.
According to the Metropolitan Police, two suspects dressed in dark clothing approached the building shortly after midnight and hurled two bottles believed to contain petrol along with a brick. No injuries were reported and the synagogue, which also houses a nursery, was not damaged. The suspects are believed to have fled the scene in a vehicle captured on CCTV, as investigations continue.
A local witness, Franco Di Landro, described hearing a loud explosion-like noise. “It was 10:30pm there was loud bang like a bolder or meteorite hitting in the ground. Next thing there were cops everywhere. There was a hell of a noise when it happened. Now I’m scared. I thought might be an exhaust explosion or vehicle but this is a big deal,” he said.
Senior clergy member Cantor Zoe Jacobs condemned the incident, calling it “an attempt to intimidate the British Jewish community.”
“Our synagogue is a proud, progressive and welcoming space for all,” she said. “Last night, two men tried to attack our synagogue and were unsuccessful. This is clearly an attempt to intimidate the British Jewish community, but we will not be deterred by these cowardly acts.”
Local MP Sarah Sackman said she had visited the site and described the incident as “a shocking attempt to harm a local synagogue,” adding that it followed a series of concerning attacks targeting Jewish communities in Finchley and Golders Green. “As your local MP, and as a member of the community, I refuse to allow this to become the ‘new normal’. British Jews must be free to go about their lives without fear,” she said.
Police have increased patrols in the area, with Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams stating that officers are working urgently to identify those responsible and reassure the community. “We take incidents of this nature extremely seriously,” he said, urging anyone with information or footage to come forward.
Counter-terrorism police are supporting the investigation, while the Community Security Trust confirmed the incident is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime and said it is working closely with authorities.
The attack comes weeks after a separate arson incident targeting Jewish community resources in nearby Golders Green, raising concerns about rising tensions and security in the area.
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