An elderly woman, aged 82, bravely declared that a recent firebomb incident at a London synagogue will not deter her from attending services there. Rhona Brickman, a long-time attendee of the Kenton Synagogue in Harrow, expressed her shock and determination to continue despite the alarming trend of attacks on the Jewish community highlighted by the UK Chief Rabbi.
The incident, where a molotov cocktail was thrown through a window at midnight, was fortunately unsuccessful in causing a fire. Rhona emphasized the need for resilience in the face of such intimidation, stating, “We need to show we are strong and we are not going to be intimidated.”
Concerns were raised about the escalating violence, with another congregant revealing that the attack narrowly missed causing a significant fire by landing in an area with minimal flammable materials. The Metropolitan Police noted a series of similar incidents over a 48-hour period, with online claims by a group named Ashab al‑Yamin linking the attacks to Iran.
Met’s Deputy assistant commissioner Vicki Evans discussed the potential links to Iran, expressing the need to investigate further. The authorities condemned the cowardly attack, with Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis and Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowing increased visible policing to protect the community from further threats.
Deputy commissioner Matt Jukes reassured the public of enhanced police presence in London to combat the targeted campaign, emphasizing that those seeking to carry out acts of intimidation will face legal consequences. Jukes highlighted the importance of swift police action in addressing such criminal behavior and ensuring the safety of the community.