Israel condemns London synagogue stabbing, warns of rising global antisemitism
Israel reacted strongly on Wednesday to a stabbing attack in north London that left two Jewish men injured outside a synagogue in Golders Green, a largely Jewish area.
President Isaac Herzog condemned the assault and warned of rising antisemitism across Europe.
“I am horrified by yet another violent attack on Jews in broad daylight on the streets of London. We are praying for a speedy recovery for all those injured,” Herzog said.
He added that “no Jew anywhere in the world should be a target because of their faith,” calling the situation “unacceptable” and urging the British government to take “urgent and immediate action” to prevent further attacks. Herzog said Israel “will not stay silent” in the face of global antisemitism.
The two Jewish men were stabbed and injured in what police have called an act of terrorism.
Police arrested a 45-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder in the attack.
The Metropolitan Police said the attack in the Golders Green area left two men, aged 34 and 76, hospitalised with knife wounds.
Counter-terror police are investigating whether the stabbings are linked to recent arson attacks on synagogues and other Jewish sites in the United Kingdom capital.
Politicians condemned the attack.
“Attacks on our Jewish community are attacks on Britain,” Prime Minister Keir Starmer said.
Suspect being treated by Hatzola Jewish paramedics, and yet he tried to cut the throats of two Jewish people just outside my front door. pic.twitter.com/tcGL93lbuo
— James J. Marlow (@James_J_Marlow) April 29, 2026
It said the suspect was detained by Shomrim members and arrested by police, who used a stun gun on him.
Surveillance camera footage showed a man beside a bus stop donning a kippah, or traditional skullcap, before a passerby with a knife lunges at him.
Police said the suspect also tried to stab police officers but none was injured.
They are working to establish the suspect’s citizenship and background, and Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams said “investigators are considering all possible motives”.
Arson attacks in recent weeks targeted Jewish sites in London, including a charity’s ambulances in Golders Green and a synagogue a few kilometres away.
“It happens in Israel but happening on our own doorstep, of course it’s shocking,” said Golders Green resident Moishe Grunfeld.
“I have kids, I have grandchildren.”
The UK’s Jewish community is long-established but tiny as a percentage of the population, numbering about 300,000.
The northwest London suburb of Golders Green is one of its epicentres – home to kosher restaurants, Jewish schools and several dozen synagogues, as well as large Asian and Middle Eastern communities.
“There must be absolutely no place for anti-Semitism in society,” London Mayor Sadiq Khan said.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry also issued a sharp statement, saying that repeated attacks on synagogues, Jewish institutions and individuals showed the British government could “no longer claim this is under control.” It criticised Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s response as insufficient, arguing that statements must be matched with action to confront antisemitism “festering across the United Kingdom.”
The ministry said British Jews should not require security patrols or emergency volunteers to live openly, concluding: “Enough words. The UK must act decisively and urgently.”
Associated Press/TPS-IL
