Thursday, April 16, 2026 - 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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