A woman and a man have been arrested in connection with the ‘antisemitic’ attempted arson attack at a north London synagogue.
Balaclava-clad bandits were seen using suspected petrol bombs in their attempted assault on Finchley Reform Synagogue in Fallow Court Avenue, North Finchley, on CCTV.
The incident is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime and comes weeks after four Hatzola ambulances were firebombed outside a different synagogue in nearby Golders Green on March 23.
A woman, 47, and a 46-year-old man have now been arrested in the Watford area on suspicion of arson endangering life.
CCTV showed two suspects dressed in dark clothing and balaclavas entering the synagogue’s grounds at 12.09am on Wednesday, police said.
They then put two glass bottles next to the synagogue’s windows and threw a brick at the building. One of the bottles, which contained a substance suspected to be petrol, was smashed by the brick.
Neither of the bottles was ignited and there were no injuries reported. The building was left undamaged and the suspects fled the scene.
The attack was reported to the police at about 8.30am on Wednesday by a member of synagogue staff.
Police arrested the woman at 4.47pm on Wednesday and the man at 7.15pm in connection with the attack. They remain in police custody.
Scotland Yard has said that last month’s ambulance arson attack does not appear to be linked to this incident.
The firebombing caused gas canisters in the ambulances, from Hatzola, a volunteer-led service, to explode.
Three men – Hamza Iqbal, 20, Rehan Khan, 19, and a 17-year-old boy, were charged with arson being reckless as to whether life would be endangered.
Sarah Sackman, MP for Finchley and Golders Green, branded last night’s attack as ‘shocking’ – adding the Jewish community should be ‘free to go about their lives without fear’.
‘This morning, I became aware of an attempted arson attack at Finchley Reform Synagogue overnight. Thankfully, no one has been hurt. I have been at the synagogue, supporting local residents and community leaders,’ she said.
‘This shocking attempt to harm a local synagogue follows a series of alarming attacks on the Jewish community 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 – whether taking their children to nursery or attending synagogue. We do not want to live behind ever higher walls.’
She added: ‘I thank the CST and Metropolitan Police for their quick and effective response. I will continue to raise the issues of antisemitism and security at the highest levels in Government to protect our community.’
The incident is being investigated by detectives from the Met’s North West Area Command Unit, with support from specialist detectives from Counter Terrorism Policing London.
Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing in the area, commented on the arrest: ‘I hope the swift action by officers today to identify and arrest two people provides some reassurance and demonstrates how seriously we take attacks of this nature.
‘However, we understand the significant concern the Jewish community will feel at another incident so soon after the arson attack on four ambulances in Golders Green.
‘There is no suggestion the matter in Finchley and the incident in Golders Green, for which three people have been charged, are linked.
‘Our increased patrols in the Finchley area continue, and I would ask that anyone with concerns speaks to my officers.’
Cantor Zöe Jacobs, on behalf of the senior clergy of Finchley Reform Synagogue, said: ‘FRS is a proud, progressive and welcoming space for all. We not only hold Jewish services and celebrations, but within our community we host a nursery, a homeless shelter, and are a safe place for refugees to gather.
‘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. Instead, we will continue to prioritise building bridges across the wider Barnet community.
‘At this time, and as always, our community is being incredibly well supported by the police, the government, CST and all of our key partners.’
Anyone with information, CCTV or dashcam footage should contact the police with reference 1685/15APR, or reach out to Crimestoppers.
