Synagogue president says ‘to burn down any house of worship is evil’ after arson

Counter-terror police are investigating a suspected arson attack at a synagogue which was being transformed into a mosque.

The Metropolitan Police said there was minor damage caused in the attack on the former East London Central Synagogue, in Nelson Street, Tower Hamlets, which is now operating as a mosque.

Minor damage was caused to a set of gates and the building’s front locks, but no one was injured, officers said.

The abandoned synagogue had just been sold for £2.3 million to a Muslim group to convert it into a mosque and community centre.

Leon Silver, president of the synagogue, said it had been the target of an antisemitic graffiti attack.

He said: ‘It’s deeply upsetting. After the Gaza ceasefire, it was daubed with graffiti saying ‘kill the Zionists’ in red paint. We reported it to the police, but nothing happened. 

‘The synagogue has been sold to a Somali group because we no longer have a viable congregation. It’s the only purpose-built synagogue in town. 

‘We get on with neighbours here, but there are other ignorant people. It’s a very difficult climate for Jewish people. There’s antisemitism just below the surface.’

He added: ‘There were flames coming from the gate. It was an attempted arson attack there were at least two people caught on CCTV.

‘They tried to set fire to the entrance, but the metal grille at the front stopped them.

Mr Silver said the synagogue had not been deconsecrated yet, so it was still officially a place of worship.

He said: ‘It’s wonderful, it’s precious, the inside is beautiful, the acoustics are wonderful.’

Local Billy Singh, 71, said it was ‘ironic’ that the former synagogue is to be home to a mosque after the building was sold.

He told Metro: ‘The synagogue has not been used for years. It’s disgusting; it should not be attacked, though. The building was bought at auction recently to make it into a mosque. 

‘If someone thought this was a working synagogue, they were totally wrong. I don’t think local people did this.’

Another local told Metro: ‘The place has been empty for a long time. We used to see rabbis here for both religious days. It’s going to be a mosque, is what I’ve been told. It’s been bought.’

It comes after a string of arson attacks on Jewish community sites in the capital and in the wake of the stabbings of three men in Golders Green last week.

The Met said: ‘Counter Terrorism Policing London is investigating a further arson incident at a former synagogue in east London.

‘Police were called at 5.16am on Tuesday, May 5, by the London Fire Brigade to reports of a fire at a former synagogue in Nelson Street, Tower Hamlets.’

‘Initial CCTV enquiries indicate that the fire was started intentionally at approximately 5.10am and the incident is being treated as arson.’

The Met said that because the location was a former synagogue, Counter Terrorism Police are investigating the matter, but no arrests have been made yet.

Last week, the independent reviewer of terror and state threats for the UK government said antisemitism has become ‘a national security emergency’ after three people were stabbed in Golders Green.

CPS authorised three charges of attempted murder against suspect Essa Suleiman, who attacked a Muslim man and two Jewish men.

Jonathan Hall KC, the independent reviewer of terror and state threats for the government, said attacks on Jewish people have become ‘the biggest national security emergency’ since 2017.

In October, an attacker drove his car into pedestrians and worshippers at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation in Manchester.

In March, an antisemitic firebomb attack on a volunteer service’s ambulances in Golders Green scared the community.

Four ambulances belonging to Hatzola Northwest’s fleet were firebombed in an antisemitic attack outside a Golders Green synagogue.

Adrian Daulby, 53, died from a single gunshot wound to the chest, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, died from multiple stab wounds inflicted by Jihad Al-Shamie.

There has also been a spate of attacks across London over the last few months, with state-sponsored groups suspected of being involved.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she is treating the attacks as an emergency.

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