Jewish community members in the U.K. are on high alert after two men were wounded in a stabbing in London’s Golders Green neighborhood in what officials have called an antisemitic terrorist incident.
What happened
– In broad daylight a man walked up to an elderly man and stabbed him repeatedly. Passing drivers and witnesses shouted warnings and people ran to safety.
– Police chased the suspect, used a Taser and detained him at the scene.
– The incident was declared a terrorist incident; authorities treat it as motivated by antisemitism.
Victims and suspect
– One victim, 34-year-old Shloime Rand, was discharged from hospital on Friday.
– The other, 76-year-old Moshe Shine, remained hospitalized but in a stable condition.
– The suspect, named in court as Essa Suleiman, is a British citizen born in Somalia. He faces charges including attempted murder and was brought before a judge; further hearings are scheduled (reported return to court on May 15).
Security and official response
– Britain raised its terror threat level to its highest in four years, a designation officials said means another attack is considered likely in the coming months.
– The rise in threat and this attack prompted the government to promise increased support for Jewish security: Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged the equivalent of about $33 million for protective measures.
– London’s police commissioner and Jewish community security groups warned threats against Jews have been rising for years. A watchdog reported anti-Jewish incidents spiked after the Israel–Hamas war began and reached near-record levels last year (about 3,700 incidents reported).
Community impact
– Jewish residents and business owners in areas like Golders Green said people are frightened; some are closing businesses or relocating because they do not feel safe.
– Police are reviewing whether future pro-Palestinian marches should be restricted or banned amid concerns about heightened tensions.
Context
– The attack occurred in a neighborhood with a large Jewish population, and local and national officials characterized it as an antisemitic terrorist act.
– Investigations and court proceedings are ongoing as authorities continue security reviews and community outreach.
(Reporting includes police statements, local witnesses and comments from officials.)