Two Jewish men were stabbed in broad daylight on the streets of Golders Green in north London on Wednesday in what British counterterrorism police have formally declared a terrorist incident, deepening a crisis of antisemitic violence that has shaken one of Europe’s most established Jewish communities.
The victims have been identified as Shilome Rand, 34, and Moshe Ben Baila known locally as Moshe Shine aged 76. Both were taken to hospital and are reported to be in a stable condition. Their full medical details have not been publicly released. Security camera footage obtained by news outlets shows one victim standing at a bus stop, putting on his kippah, when a man shoved him against a sign and repeatedly stabbed him. The other was walking down the street when he was stabbed and managed to flee.
A 45-year-old British national, born in Somalia, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. Metropolitan Police video footage shows officers confronting the suspect and tasering him before removing a knife from his hand. He was initially taken to hospital, then discharged and transferred to a London police station where he remains in custody. He also stands accused of attempting to stab the officers who responded to the scene, though no officers were reported injured.
London’s Police Commissioner Mark Rowley said the suspect has “a history of serious violence and mental health issues.” Laurence Taylor, the Metropolitan Police’s head of counterterrorism, formally declared it a terrorist incident and said investigators are working to establish whether the attack was deliberately targeting the Jewish community.
Golders Green is home to approximately 15,000 residents, about half of whom are Jewish. The neighbourhood hosts several synagogues, dozens of Jewish schools and restaurants, and is served by Shomrim, a Jewish neighbourhood patrol group, and Hatzola, a volunteer Jewish ambulance service both of whom responded to Wednesday’s attack.
Wednesday’s stabbings did not arrive in isolation. Last month, arsonists set fire to four ambulances belonging to Hatzola in Golders Green. Four people were subsequently charged. Weeks later, a synagogue and the former premises of a Jewish charity in north London were both attacked. Earlier this week, just streets from Wednesday’s stabbing, a suspected arson attack targeted a memorial wall displaying photographs of those killed in Hamas’ October 7 attacks and protesters killed by Iranian security forces.
Survivor Shilome Rand, 34, spoke publicly from hospital. “This fellow came towards me and just stabbed me in the chest… I jumped back, so thankfully it was only one stab. It could have taken my life,” he said. He added that the afternoon had been filled with calls and messages from community members who were frightened to walk outside. “Really our community is suffering from these kind of attacks and now they’re trying to take people’s lives.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the attack as “utterly appalling” and told Parliament that everyone must be clear in their determination to deal with offences “the like of which we’ve seen too much recently.” He acknowledged it was not an isolated incident and pledged to visit the community. He was, however, heckled at the scene by members of the public calling for his resignation.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said he was “horrified by yet another violent attack on Jews in broad daylight on the streets of London” and called on the British government to take urgent and immediate action before the next antisemitic attack occurs.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch called the situation a “national emergency,” saying there are “terrorists and violent people who are seeking out visibly Jewish people.” Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis went further, warning that “words of condemnation are no longer sufficient” and that the hatred must be faced down collectively.
King Charles III, currently on a state visit to the United States, was informed of the attack. His spokesperson said his thoughts and prayers are with the two men who were injured, and that he offers his heartfelt gratitude to those who rushed to their aid.
Commissioner Rowley also addressed the broader context, noting a documented rise in antisemitic hate crime and warning that “some individuals are being encouraged, persuaded or paid to commit acts of violence on behalf of foreign organisations and hostile states.” His remarks came as investigators confirmed they are searching an address in southeast London connected to a separate knife incident involving the suspect earlier the same morning.
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Antisemitic attacks in the United Kingdom have risen sharply since 2023, when Israel’s war in Gaza began following Hamas’ October 7 attacks. For many in Golders Green, Wednesday has made the streets feel profoundly different. “We feel very unsafe,” one long-time resident told reporters. “Knowing that we’re going to the synagogue every day and attackers are walking by and stabbing people.”
