Stabbing of Jewish men in Golders Green ‘a terrorist incident’
Police say that the stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green, north London, was a terrorist incident. The victims have been named as Nachman Moshe ben Chaya Sarah aged 76, who was attacked at a bus stop, and Moshe Ben Baila by Mirvis, aged 34, who was stabbed after leaving prayers at a nearby synagogue. Both are stable and recovering in hospital. The suspect, who was tasered and arrested near the scene, is a British national born in Somalia with a history of “serious violence and mental health issues”. Police are investigating a claim of responsibility from Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, which has links with Iran. The stabbing follows a spate of arson attacks on buildings related to the Jewish community, and the torching of four ambulances run by a Jewish charity, all in the same area of London.
‘Horrendous act of violence’, ‘national emergency’, ‘appalling’
Sir Mark Rowley, the Metropolitan Police commissioner, was met with angry jeers when he arrived at the scene, with people demanding more action to counter rising antisemitism. He said it was a horrendous act of violence: “Too many Jewish people in this country feel they have to make choices that no Briton should ever have to make, about how they dress, where they go, or how visibly they live their lives. That is completely unacceptable and has gone on for far too long.”
The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, chaired an emergency Cobra meeting in response and promised more funds to the Community Security Trust and more meetings today to ensure “effective and swift justice”. He recognised high levels of anxiety and concern among the Jewish community, who feel exposed and vulnerable. He said: “It’s our job to make sure that they feel safe and secure. It’s our job to make sure that we absolutely deal with the roots of antisemitism and extremism.”
Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative Party leader, said there was an “an epidemic of violence against Jewish people” that had become a “national emergency”. Green party leader Zack Polanski described the attack as “horrendous”, and Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said the government must “do more” to keep Jewish communities safe.
The Chief Rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, said: “Following the antisemitic stabbing of two Jewish people on the streets of Golders Green this morning, words of condemnation are no longer sufficient. This must be a moment that demands meaningful action from every institution, every community, every leader, and every decent person in our country. This is a hatred that we must face down together.”
There have been messages of support and compassion from many faith leaders. The Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally said it was an appalling attack: “There must be zero tolerance for antisemitism or any other form of hatred – and faith communities must work together urgently to counter violent extremism.”
The Bishop of Edmonton Dr Jeremiah Anderson said: “The fact that such an atrocity has occurred in our community is devastating. This was not just an attack on individuals, but on the safety and spirit of our entire neighbourhood. In the face of such darkness, our community must stand firm.”
Other messages of support came from senior faith leaders meeting at St George’s House, Windsor Castle. This evening, Jewish and Muslim women will walk in solidarity through Golders Green.
Lib Dems admit unlawful religious discrimination against David Campanale
The Liberal Democrats have admitted unlawful religious discrimination against David Campanale, who was de-selected as a prospective parliamentary candidate over his traditional Christian views. These included marriage being between a man and woman, Biblical teaching on human sexuality, the sanctity of life including unborn life, and the right of MPs to vote according to conscience. The party has agreed to pay damages. Mr Campanale, a former BBC journalist, was announced as the party’s candidate for Sutton and Cheam in January 2022 but de-selected in August 2023. Among those named in the case is Luke Taylor, who replaced him as the Lib Dem parliamentary candidate and went on to win the seat.
Former Bishop of Oxford, Lord Richard Harries, has died
The former Bishop of Oxford, Lord Richard Harries, has died aged 89. He was a powerful leading liberal voice in the Church of England, championing gay rights and women’s ordination, and supporting causes such as interfaith relations, ethical investment and justice for asylum seekers. Known to millions through BBC Radio 4’s Thought for the Day, he combined public theology with a prominent role in the House of Lords, and he was a prolific author and columnist for The Times. In the last years, he was the main carer for his wife, Josephine, who, survives him.
Nine arrested after raids on Crewe headquarters of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light
Nine people have been arrested over allegations of serious sexual offences, forced marriage and modern slavery, after raids on the headquarters of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, based in Crewe, Cheshire. Police say the allegations relate to one woman, who was a member at the time offences were said to have taken place. Six men and three women were arrested, with nationalities including American, Mexican, Italian, Spanish and British. A further 13 people have been arrested on suspicion of public order offences. The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light is a millenarian and esoteric new religious movement with roots in Twelver Shia Islam. Read more on our factsheet here.
Catholic leader promises ‘openness of conversation’ with Archbishop of Canterbury
The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster pledged yesterday to work with the Archbishop of Canterbury with what he called “the openness of conversation”, despite continuing obstacles blocking full unity between Catholics and Anglicans. Archbishop Richard Moth was speaking in London days after he was in Rome to witness the first meeting between Archbishop Sarah Mullally and Pope Leo XIV. During the meeting, Pope Leo said: “While much progress has been made on some historically divisive issues, new problems have arisen in recent decades, rendering the pathway to full communion more difficult to discern” — a remark many observers took to mean women’s ordination. Read Catherine Pepinster’s report here.
Initiative to build bridges between churches and local MPs
A Christian initiative to help churches speak to their MPs, “the Constituency Action Network”, has been launched by the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church through their Joint Public Issues Team. They say there is a lack of trust and loss of confidence in MPs and their aim is to have at least one church signed up to speak to the local MP in every Westminster constituency, raising issues of marginalised people, peace and social justice, amplifying voices within the wider community. The Rev Dr Alex Clare-Young, JPIT’s Campaigns and Church Engagement Officer, said: “Together, we can make a positive difference and work towards a kinder, more truthful politics, informed by listening and strengthened by trust. This has been missing in government and is vitally and urgently needed”.
The rise of Christian schools protecting children from an ‘ungodly culture’
The conservative organisation Christian Concern has led a one day conference titled “Education Revolution”, considering how to offer children an education based on their Christian ideas, where “faith can flourish”. They say there is a spiritual battle going on which is forcing Christian schools to close, with changes such as VAT on private school fees severely impacting low-cost Christian schools. They cite cases where Christian based home education centres, created by parents wanting to shield their children from “progressive ideology”, have been raided by police, and say the Children’s and Well Being and Schools Bill has placed suspicion on parents. Steve Beegoo, Head of Education at Christian Concern, said: “If we are not taking every opportunity to impress on them the fear and knowledge of the Lord, there is an ungodly culture waiting to capture their imaginations”. The organisation has launched an educationwebsite which gives advice on Christian witness in state schools, home education and independent schools. At the conference there were workshops offering advice on starting Christian schools and shaping the curriculum. They describe the opening of new Christian schools from nurseries to higher education, as initiatives which “further the kingdom”, and praise Christian Unions in schools which produce converts.
Pioneering New Testament for dyslexic readers launched
Cambridge University Press is bringing out a new dyslexia-friendly New Testament to make reading easier for the one in ten people with dyslexia in the UK. The ESV (English Standard Version) Crystal New Testament has single column texts, reduced line length, increased spaces between lines, short paragraphs, opaque cream coloured paper to minimise distraction and visual stress and uses the Grace font, which has curls to distinguish letters and bold at the bottom of lines. The publisher says they have brought out large print and giant print editions in the past, aiming to improve accessibility around the written word.
