The United Kingdom's Metropolitan Police have charged a man with attempted murder following an investigation into the stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green, north London.

Following the stabbings in a residential area of the UK capital on Wednesday, officials raised the national terrorism threat to its second-highest level, signaling that an attack within the next six months is "highly likely".

This week, Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged stronger action will be taken to protect Jewish people.

Police said Essa Suleiman, 45, had been charged with two counts of attempted murder and one count of possession of a bladed article in a public place in relation to the attack. He was also charged with attempted murder in relation to a separate incident earlier on the same day in south London.

Suleiman has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court later on Friday. Police said Suleiman resisted arrest and was detained with the use of a taser gun.

Met Police Commissioner Mark Rowley said the officers who arrested the man were "shaken" and feared he might have an explosive device. However, Green Party leader Zack Polanski criticized the arrest, accusing officers of kicking the suspect in the head. Rowley defended the officers' actions, calling Polanski's post "inaccurate and misinformed".

One victim, a 34-year-old man, has been released from hospital, while a 76-year-old victim remains in stable condition.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the UK has been experiencing a growing terrorist threat linked to foreign states, which has fueled violence against the Jewish community in recent weeks. Several incidents have been claimed by a group called HAYI.

Right-wing commentators have blamed the rise in antisemitic incidents on pro-Palestine marches. Police said they would probe plans for pro-Palestinian protests in the capital to assess whether further restrictions are necessary.

Source: www.aljazeera.com