Golders Green Official Slams Arson Attack on Jewish Ambulances as ‘Hate Running Riot’ in North London

Councillor Dean Cohen calls for action as arson destroys Hatzola ambulances in Golders Green. Exploding oxygen tanks damage nearby homes in "chilling" attack.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 23, 2026, 4:06 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Times of Israel

Local Leadership Demands Immediate Action Following Targeted Arson

In the wake of a devastating fire that destroyed a fleet of life-saving vehicles, Golders Green Councillor Dean Cohen has issued a blistering critique of the current security environment for London’s Jewish community. Speaking to the Jewish News on Monday, Cohen described the deliberate targeting of ambulances stationed at a synagogue as "utterly shocking" and "terrifying." He argued that the incident represents a significant escalation in sectarian violence and serves as a stark warning that existing measures to tackle antisemitism in the United Kingdom are failing to protect vulnerable institutions.

Explosive Force of Fire Damages Nearby Residential Structures

The tactical nature of the attack became even more apparent as London’s Fire Service provided details on the intensity of the blaze. According to emergency responders, the fire ignited specialized oxygen tanks stored on board the Hatzola ambulances, leading to several high-powered explosions. The force of these blasts was sufficient to smash windows in residential buildings surrounding the Machzike Hadath Synagogue, further traumatizing a neighborhood already on high alert. This secondary damage highlights the extreme risk to human life posed by the arsonists' decision to target medical vehicles in a densely populated urban area.

CCTV Footage Reveals Premeditated Gasoline Strike

Investigative efforts have been bolstered by CCTV footage recovered from the synagogue’s security system. The recordings show three individuals, their identities concealed by hoods, systematically pouring gasoline onto the emergency vehicles before setting them alight. This visual evidence confirms that the destruction of the Hatzola fleet was a calculated, premeditated act rather than an opportunistic crime. The footage is currently being analyzed by the Metropolitan Police as part of their broader investigation into what they have officially classified as an antisemitic hate crime.