Police in north London are treating Wednesday’s street stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green as a “terrorist incident” and are investigating whether the attack specifically targeted the Jewish community. The two men were taken to hospital and are reported to be in a stable condition.
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of counter‑terrorism policing, said highly specialized teams are examining the circumstances and working with UK security services to build a full intelligence picture. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley called the attack “another horrendous act of violence directed against our Jewish communities.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, questioned about the incident at Prime Minister’s Questions, said he had been briefed shortly before the session and described the events as “deeply concerning.” He said there is a police investigation under way and urged public support for the inquiry, stressing the need to deal with offences of this kind. King Charles III, speaking during his state visit to the United States, also said he was “deeply concerned.”
Golders Green, in northwest London, has a large Jewish population and has seen several suspected antisemitic incidents in recent weeks amid wider tensions linked to the Middle East. Nearby reports in recent weeks include an arson attempt at a synagogue and an arson attack targeting ambulances; no-one was injured in those incidents. Police have arrested several people in connection with related offences, with suspects ranging in age from teenagers to people in their 40s, and some have been charged.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said London’s Jewish community “have been the target of a series of shocking antisemitic attacks” and insisted there must be no place for antisemitism in society.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry urged the UK government to act swiftly, saying antisemitism was “festering” across Britain. In a social media post, it said that after attacks on synagogues, Jewish institutions, community ambulances and now people in Golders Green, the UK can no longer claim the situation is under control and must respond decisively and urgently.
Britain’s Jewish community numbers about 300,000, a small proportion of the UK population. Golders Green is one of its focal areas, home to kosher restaurants, multiple Jewish schools and several dozen synagogues, alongside significant Asian and Middle Eastern communities.
Police said the investigation is ongoing and asked anyone with information or relevant footage to come forward to assist their inquiries.