Prime Minister Keir Starmer has issued a stark warning to Iran, urging the country not to promote 'hatred or division' towards British Jews. The warning came as counter-terrorism police announced they are investigating an arson incident at a former synagogue in east London.
Starmer's Warning to Iran
Speaking at a meeting with community leaders about the threat of antisemitism, Starmer stated that UK authorities are investigating whether a foreign state was behind some of the recent attacks on the country's Jewish community. 'One of the lines of inquiry is whether a foreign state has been behind some of these incidents,' Starmer said in Downing Street. 'Our message to Iran or to any other country that might seek to foment violence, hatred or division in society, is that it will not be tolerated.'
Arson Attack Investigation
The prime minister's remarks came just after counter-terrorism police confirmed they were looking into an arson attack on a former synagogue in Whitechapel, east London. A police forensics officer was seen working at the scene on May 5, 2026, following the suspected arson in the early hours of the morning. The incident is the latest in a series of antisemitic attacks that have raised concerns across the UK.
Rise in Antisemitic Violence
Britain's 300,000-strong Jewish community has faced a spike in antisemitic violence since the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza. Concern flared anew last week after the stabbing of two men in North London, which police declared a terrorist incident. A British man of Somali origins was charged with attempted murder for the knife attack. Counter-terrorism police are investigating claims by an online Iranian Islamist group calling itself Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiyya that one of their 'lone wolves' was responsible.
Government Response
The government has vowed to change the law to designate organizations linked to hostile states, or their proxies, as terrorist organizations. Starmer also announced that the government will 'lift the bar higher when abuses take place' in universities and ensure they enforce 'clear disciplinary consequences for antisemitism.' Ministers plan to introduce stronger powers to shut down charities promoting antisemitic extremism, prevent hate preachers from entering the country, and consider restrictions on pro-Palestinian marches.
Iran's Response
The Iranian Embassy in London criticized Starmer's remarks, stating it 'categorically rejects these baseless allegations of antisemitism.' The Embassy requested that the UK government address such incidents 'in a fair and professional manner' and refrain from 'hasty or politically motivated attribution' to third parties. It noted that the British government has not responded to Iran's requests for evidence, demonstrating the absence of credible proof.
Previous Incidents
The arson attack follows the torching of four ambulances operated by a Jewish charity in March, also in Golders Green, and an attack on a synagogue in Manchester in October, in which two people were killed. The terrorism threat level in Britain was raised last week to severe following the stabbings, meaning an attack is highly likely.
