The government and public have rallied to support a Jewish ambulance charity hit by an arson attack, which is being investigated by police as an antisemitic hate crime.

During the early hours of Monday 23 March four ambulances run by Golders Green, North London, based Jewish charity Hatzola were set alight and destroyed.

The incident happened in the car park of a local Synagogue, where the charity’s vehicles for this area are based.

During the day police announced that the incident is being investigated by counter terrorism officers as an antisemitic hate crime. Three hooded suspects are being sought.

The London Fire Brigade received dozens of calls about the arson attack, in which several cylinders stored in vehicles exploded.

Government help

Following the incident health secretary Wes Streeting says the government will support the charity with substitute vehicles “and will fund permanent replacements”.

He added: “I stand with the Jewish community in London and across England in standing up to this vile racism.”

Prime minister Keir Starmer also condemned the attacks.

“The antisemitic arson attack in Golders Green is horrifying,” he said.

“I’ve been in touch with Jewish community leaders this morning and will continue to do so throughout the day. An attack on our Jewish community is an attack on us all. We will fight the poison that is antisemitism.”

Charity Commission chief executive David Holdsworth said the regulator has offered support to the charity “and we will do what we can to support them in continuing the charity’s life-saving work”.

He added: “Such cowardly violence committed against those serving their community represents an attack on all of us: on the very meaning of charity, and on the respect, tolerance and community that are the hallmarks of the best of British society.

“The Commission stands with the Jewish community and the organisations that work to keep Jewish people in this country safe.

“When charities representing different parts of our society are increasingly victims of vilification and violence, it is for all of us to speak out and stand with those being attacked.

“Charities always have been and are our greatest assets in tackling hatred, building stronger communities and a better society.”

Public donations

Meanwhile, £1,327,628 had been raised by Tuesday 24 March through public donations to help the charity “secure new safer premises” for its ambulances.

The charity hopes these will “provide enhanced protection and security”.

Among those giving is the Ronson Foundation, which has donated £200,000.

'Antisemitic hate crime'

Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing in the area confirmed that the attack “is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime” adding that “this is a devastating incident for our Jewish communities, and we have launched an immediate investigation to identify those responsible”.

"While this has not been declared a terrorist incident at this stage, the investigation is now being led by Counter Terrorism Policing with all the specialist expertise they bring, and all lines of enquiry remain open,” he said.

He added: “The Met Police stands shoulder to shoulder with our partners and communities. Together we take a zero-tolerance approach to hate crime.

“We are stepping up our support to Jewish communities across London to engage, offer reassurance and take practical action to protect people and property.”

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