Arabic version: اعتقال مشتبه بهما في قضية حريق كنيس كينتون

According to BBC News,

A 17-year-old boy and a 19-year-old man have been arrested over an arson attack aimed at the Kenton United Synagogue in north-west London, according to the Metropolitan Police. The incident occurred at about midnight on Sunday when a bottle containing a type of accelerant was thrown through the window of the synagogue, causing minor damage but no injuries.

The Metropolitan Police’s deputy commissioner, Matt Jukes, reported that this incident is part of a larger pattern of attacks. He noted that there have been a total of 15 arrests linked to six incidents targeting premises with Jewish connections in London in recent weeks. These incidents include arson attacks on four Jewish ambulances in Golders Green and a synagogue in Finchley, north London.

Jukes indicated that the police are investigating potential connections to Iranian-backed proxies regarding these attacks. He described this line of inquiry as serious, highlighting that the attacks appear to have been claimed online by a group known as Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia. This group has recently taken responsibility for attacks across Europe.

Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis condemned the arson attack, labeling it as “cowardly” and expressing concern over what he described as a sustained campaign of violence and intimidation against the Jewish community in the UK. He stated that such attacks undermine the values that bind us all together.

The police continue to investigate the authenticity of the claims made by the group and any potential links to the recent incidents. The community remains vigilant as authorities work to address the rising concerns regarding safety and security in places of worship.