Full Breakdown
Devon Man Arrested Amid London Anti-Jewish Terror Plot
4/28/2026, 10:59:37 AM
Series of Attacks on Jewish and Pro-Iranian Sites
Since 23 March, attacks have struck London: four Hatzola ambulances were set alight in Golders Green; accelerant bottles and brick were placed at Finchley Reform Synagogue; Kenton United Synagogue was hit by petrol-bomb; burning container was thrown at Iran International; jars and drone were found near Israeli embassy and in Kensington Gardens. A 17-year-old later pleaded guilty to arson at Kenton United Synagogue.
Alleged Iran-Linked Islamist Group
The Islamist outfit Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia (HAYI), described as having Iranian links, has claimed responsibility for many of the attacks, though police have not publicly confirmed its operational role.
Timeline of Key Incidents
Key dates: 23 Mar 2024 – Hatzola ambulances torched in Golders Green; 15 Apr 2024 – accelerant bottles and a brick at Finchley Reform Synagogue, burning container at Iran International; mid-Apr 2024 – petrol-bomb at Kenton United Synagogue, jars near Israeli embassy; late-Apr 2024 – drone near embassy, jars in Kensington Gardens; 27 Apr 2024 – Devon suspect arrested.
Official Statements & Responses
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the government must “deal with malign state actors” and introduce legislation to curb proxy attacks. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans warned that police “will not tolerate activity which seeks to intimidate or frighten our communities.” Rabbi Yehuda Black stressed the community’s refusal to be intimidated, and Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis called the defence of religious freedom “all of our fight.”
Criticism & Calls for Broader Action
Starmer warned that focusing only on “symptoms” risks missing root causes, urging broader legislative and security measures. Community leaders have voiced anxiety and demanded decisive action against foreign-state proxies.
Verbatim Quotes
- “ Vicki Evans, deputy assistant commissioner at the Met Police, previously said: "To those facilitating on their behalf and those committing the acts – we will not tolerate activity which seeks to intimidate or frighten our communities.” — Vicki Evans, Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Metropolitan Police
- “Even though there is a level of anxiety within the community.” — Rabbi Yehuda Black, Kenton United Synagogue
- “We have to deal with malign state actors, that will require legislation.” — Sir Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
- “We are grateful to [the police] and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for their work investigating these appalling attacks.” — Community Security Trust spokesperson
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Police have not verified HAYI’s operational role, and the arrested suspect’s motives and affiliations remain undisclosed.
What’s Next
Counter-terrorism officers will keep probing the network, while the government drafts legislation to curb foreign-state proxies and maintains heightened security advisories for Jewish venues.
