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The terror group described the synagogue as an important center connected to religious Zionism and support for Israel in Britain.
By United with Israel Staff
British counterterrorism police have arrested two suspects in connection with the arson attack targeting a synagogue and Jewish emergency vehicles in London, an incident that authorities say is being treated as terrorism and has been linked to an Iranian-operated terror organization that claimed responsibility.
London’s Metropolitan Police announced Wednesday that the suspects, ages 45 and 47, were arrested in separate apartments in central London following an intensive investigation. Police did not release the identities of the suspects or specify their organizational affiliations, but confirmed the investigation remains ongoing and additional arrests may follow.
The arrests come after a shocking overnight arson attack that targeted Jewish emergency services in one of London’s most prominent Jewish communities. All four Hatzolah ambulances in the local fleet were deliberately set on fire in what authorities believe was a targeted antisemitic attack.
Security footage from the scene showed three men dressed in black clothing and wearing ski masks moving between the emergency vehicles and setting them ablaze before fleeing the area. The vehicles were quickly engulfed in flames, destroying the fleet and sending shockwaves through the local Jewish community.
On Monday, the terrorist group Ashab al-Yaamin claimed responsibility for the attack in a video posted on social media, saying the Machzikei HaDat synagogue was targeted because of its historical and ideological ties to Israel.
The group described the synagogue as an important center connected to religious Zionism and support for Israel in Britain, citing visits by senior British officials during the Gaza war as evidence of its pro-Israel role.
Helen Flanagan, head of the Metropolitan Police counterterrorism unit and the lead investigator on the case, said the arrests marked a major development but emphasized the investigation is far from over.
“We have been working around the clock since this appalling attack took place, and that has led to these arrests this morning,” she said.
Flanagan added that investigators believe more suspects were involved in the attack.
“This appears to be an important breakthrough in the investigation, but CCTV footage indicates that at least three people were involved. We fully recognize the local community will still be concerned and our investigation very much remains active. We will continue to work to identify and seek to arrest all of those who may have been involved.”
She also thanked members of the public and the Jewish community for assisting the investigation and urged anyone with information to come forward.
The attack appeared to deliberately target Jewish community infrastructure, and the Iranian-linked claim of responsibility has intensified fears of further attacks on Jewish and Israeli institutions abroad amid the ongoing conflict.
The investigation remains ongoing, and police said additional arrests are expected as authorities work to identify and apprehend all those involved.
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