An Islamist group known as Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia (HAYI) has claimed responsibility for an arson attack on the former premises of Jewish Futures, a charity based in Hendon, north London.
The incident occurred at approximately 10.30pm on Friday evening at the organisation’s previous ground-floor offices, which maintain educational and cultural connections to Israel.
Counter-terrorism police are currently investigating the attack.
Police suspect that HAYI, who confirmed their involvement in the attack on Telegram, may have ties to Iranian intelligence services.
This marks the fifth incident attributed to HAYI in less than four weeks. The group’s emblem depicts a raised fist clutching a rifle.
Although Jewish Futures vacated the premises several months ago, residential flats housing numerous tenants occupy the floors above.
Metropolitan Police officers, supported by the London Fire Brigade, responded to the scene at 10.31pm after receiving reports of a fire at what they described as a business premises.
According to the Met, a man approached a row of shops carrying a plastic bag that contained three bottles filled with fluid.
Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia (HAYI) has claimed responsibility for the attack
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“He placed the bag next to the building and lit the items in the bag. The bottles failed to fully ignite and the man fled the scene,” police said.
The attack resulted in only minor damage to the shopfront, with no injuries reported.
Unverified footage circulating online shortly after the incident appeared to show flames briefly spreading up the building’s entrance before calming down.
HAYI has claimed involvement in three additional incidents across the UK during the past week.
These include a failed firebombing attempt at a synagogue in Finchley, northwest London, and an arson attack on the studios of Iran International, an independent Farsi-language broadcaster.
The bottles the man brought did not ignite correctly and he then fled the scene
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The group also asserts it targeted the Israeli embassy in Kensington with drones allegedly carrying radioactive material.
Last month, HAYI took credit for setting fire to four ambulances belonging to a Jewish charity in Golders Green, northwest London.
The organisation has additionally claimed responsibility for multiple antisemitic attacks across Europe since hostilities began between Iran and the coalition of Israel and the United States.
By Saturday morning, scorch marks remained visible in a doorway adjacent to Jewish Futures’ former headquarters on Hendon Way, a busy dual carriageway.
The entrance provides access to three storeys of residential accommodation above the vacant office space.
One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said she only spotted the burn damage when leaving the building on Saturday. “I feel really sorry for the Jewish community around here after all these incidents,” she added.
Commander Helen Flanagan of Counter Terrorism Policing London stated that while the arson is not currently being connected to other recent incidents in northwest London, counterterrorism officers are leading the investigation due to similarities between the attacks.
“We will be relentless in our pursuit of those responsible for this and other, similar, hateful attacks against London’s communities,” Ms Flanagan said.