British counter-terrorism police are investigating an arson attack on a shop in Hendon, northwest London, an area with a large Jewish population, which occurred late Friday. Authorities reported that a man approached a row of shops with a plastic bag containing three bottles of fluid, placed it next to the building, and lit it, but the bottles failed to fully ignite, after which the perpetrator fled the scene. The attack caused minor damage to the business, but no injuries were reported.

Officials stated they are keeping an open mind about the motive behind the latest incident and are not treating it as a terrorist act at this stage. However, counter-terrorism officers are leading the investigation due to similarities with earlier attacks, though they have not formally linked this case to others. This comes as the UK has experienced a spate of similar incidents in recent weeks, heightening concerns over growing antisemitism in the country.

In a separate incident, a synagogue in nearby Finchley was targeted in an arson attack on Wednesday, and in late March, four Jewish community ambulances were torched in Golders Green, also in north London. According to SITE Intelligence Group, the little-known group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya (HAYI), with links to Iran, claimed responsibility for the attacks on the synagogue and ambulances, having previously claimed similar attacks in Belgium and the Netherlands. These events underscore the escalating threats faced by Jewish communities in the UK.

Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing in the area, acknowledged that this latest incident will add to fears within the community and announced increased police patrols, including armed officers. The response highlights the challenges faced by the UK regime in addressing security vulnerabilities and societal tensions, even as authorities attempt to downplay the terrorist nature of these attacks. The situation reflects broader geopolitical strains, with Iranian-linked groups allegedly exploiting domestic divisions.

Source: www.dw.com