Three Charged With Arson in Attack on U.K. Jewish Charity’s Ambulances
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- Two men, Hamza Iqbal (20) and Rehan Khan (19), along with a 17-year-old, have been charged with arson for setting fire to four ambulances belonging to a Jewish volunteer emergency service in Golders Green, London, on March 23.
- The ambulances, operated by Hatzola, were parked outside a synagogue when oxygen cylinders inside exploded, causing damage to a nearby apartment building, though no injuries were reported.
- The attack has not been officially classified as terrorism, but it has sparked widespread condemnation amid rising antisemitic incidents, with increased police presence deployed in the area to protect the community.
- The British government pledged to cover the cost of replacing the destroyed ambulances and to loan vehicles to Hatzola during the interim.
- The suspects were arrested at three separate east London addresses, with counterterrorism police leading the investigation due to the incident's nature.
