A 45-year-old man has been arrested for attempted murder after two Jewish men were stabbed in North London on Wednesday. The attack is being investigated as an act of terrorism.
London’s counter-terrorism police suspect that the target of the attack was once again the Jewish community, says the Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Counter Terrorism Policing, Laurence Taylor.
“A highly specialised group of investigators within counter-terrorism is now working with the Metropolitan Police to ensure rapid progress in this case,” says Taylor.
“One of the lines of enquiry in this investigation is whether this attack was deliberately directed at the Jewish community in London.”
The suspected knifeman was shot with a conducted energy device after he attempted to stab police officers, the Metropolitan Police state according to The Times. The Met Police add that they are “working to establish his nationality and background”.
Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the attack as “appalling” during Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons today:
“This is deeply concerning for everyone here in the Chamber. There is now a police investigation under way, and I think we must all do everything we can to support that investigation and be absolutely clear in our determination to tackle offences of this kind, which we have unfortunately seen far too many of recently.”
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacts strongly, writing on social media that Starmer’s government can no longer claim that the situation is under control.
“Following attacks on synagogues, Jewish institutions, community ambulances, and now Jews being attacked in Golders Green, the British government can no longer claim that this is under control.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s statements are no substitute for addressing the roots of the antisemitism that is raging across the United Kingdom. British Jews should not have to rely on security patrols and volunteer emergency response units in order to live openly as Jews. Enough is enough. The United Kingdom must act decisively and swiftly.”
DO NOT LOOK AWAY.
This is the footage captured by CCTV of the stabbing in Golders Green. It happens in a split second. No warning. No care in the world. The Muslim casually walks up to the visibly Jewish man, pulls out the knife, and just starts stabbing.
This is Islam. And… pic.twitter.com/RcC1fWnNhk
— Mor Edge Insight (@MorEdge_Insight) April 29, 2026
The area of London where the attack took place is full of businesses owned by Jews and is home to several synagogues.
“People around here dress Jewish and look Jewish, and they are proud of it.”
This is stated by Shimon Cohen, spokesperson for the Jewish ambulance service Hatzola, who was in the vicinity when the attack occurred. It is reported that personnel from Hatzola provided the initial treatment to the victims at the scene.
Hatzola itself experienced that four of its ambulances were set on fire in the same area in March.
Shomrim, a Jewish neighbourhood watch group, stated that a man was seen “running along Golders Green Road, armed with a knife, and attempting to stab Jewish passers-by”.
At present, it does not appear that the attack has claimed any lives. The injured are receiving treatment at a nearby hospital. Both victims are reported to be in a stable condition.
Update:
The arrested man is a British citizen born in Somalia, the police stated on Wednesday evening.