Three charged over Jewish charity ambulance fires

Three charged over Jewish charity ambulance fires

Four ambulances operated by a Jewish charity were deliberately torched in north London last week. The vehicles, belonging to Hatzola, were set ablaze in the car park of a synagogue in Golders Green during the early hours of 23 March. Three individuals have since been charged with arson and endangering life, according to the Metropolitan Police.

Suspects and Arrests

The accused include two British men, Hamza Iqbal, 20, and Rehan Khan, 19, along with a 17-year-old boy who holds dual nationality. All three were detained at separate locations in east London as part of an ongoing investigation. The 17-year-old, whose identity remains confidential, is from Walthamstow, while Iqbal and Khan are based in Leyton. They are scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.

“Criminal proceedings against these defendants are active,” said Frank Ferguson, head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s special crime and counter terrorism division. “They have the right to a fair trial.”

Investigation and Context

Counter-terror police are spearheading the inquiry, though the Met clarified that the incident has not yet been classified as a terrorist act. Earlier in the week, two men aged 45 and 47 were also arrested but released on bail until late April. The focus of the investigation continues to gather evidence and identify those responsible for the attack.

“Since this appalling attack last week, we have been working continuously to investigate and identify those responsible,” stated Cdr Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London. “The support from the local community since the attack took place has been incredible.”

Following the incident, police patrols have been heightened in areas with significant Jewish populations. Det Ch Sup Luke Williams, overseeing North West London policing, noted that these measures are precautionary and not a reaction to any specific threat. “We know that local community concerns continue to remain high—particularly for our Jewish communities during the Passover festival period,” he added.

Hatzola, the volunteer-run group behind the ambulances, provides medical care to all regardless of faith. The attack has raised awareness of tensions, prompting increased security in the region as the investigation unfolds.