British police charged a 45-year-old man with two counts of attempted murder following an attack in Golders Green, north London. The incident involved the stabbing of two Jewish men, leaving one 34-year-old and another 76-year-old hospitalized.
The national terrorism threat level was raised to its second-highest status, indicating a high likelihood of terrorist attacks within six months. This follows a series of incidents targeting Jewish premises in the area, prompting Prime Minister Keir Starmer to pledge stronger protection for Britain’s Jewish community, estimated at around 290,000 people.
The suspect, Essa Suleiman, was also charged with attempted murder from an earlier incident on the same day in south London. He is due to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court later Friday. The 76-year-old victim has been released from hospital, while the other remains stable.
Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood highlighted a growing terrorist threat, not just from this stabbing but also linked to foreign states aiding violence against Jewish communities. Some experts suggest pro-Palestinian protests, common since the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, have fueled antisemitic incidents in Britain.
Police are reviewing upcoming pro-Palestinian demonstrations in London for potential restrictions to enhance public safety. While they cannot ban protests entirely, they can limit their movement.