Four young men have pleaded guilty to charges linked to an arson attack that destroyed four ambulances belonging to a Jewish volunteer emergency service in north London.
The attack took place in Golders Green in the early hours of March 23, when the vehicles were set on fire near a synagogue. The blaze caused explosions and damaged nearby properties, adding to concerns over a series of antisemitic incidents reported in London earlier this year.
Four Defendants Plead Guilty
Hamza Iqbal, 20, Rehan Khan, 19, Judex Atshatshi, 18, and Saif Ali, 18, admitted to destroying or damaging property while being reckless about whether lives could be endangered.
The case was heard at London’s Central Criminal Court. Sentencing for the four men is expected in spring 2027 after the conclusion of separate proceedings involving another defendant connected to the incident.
A fifth suspect, Subhan Ahmed, has denied a charge related to assisting an offender and is expected to face trial separately.
Jewish Charity Ambulances Destroyed in Golders Green
The four vehicles belonged to Hatzola, a volunteer-led Jewish emergency medical service operating in north London. Each ambulance was valued at approximately £250,000, with the total damage from the attack estimated at around £1 million.
According to details presented in court, three of the defendants were accused of setting fire to the fully equipped ambulances while another waited in a vehicle.
Gas canisters inside the ambulances exploded as the fire spread, causing additional damage to nearby apartments and a synagogue. Fortunately, no deaths were reported in the incident.
Investigation Into Antisemitic Attacks Continues
The ambulance arson was among several incidents targeting Jewish or Jewish-linked locations in London during a period of heightened tensions.
Authorities have investigated whether some of the attacks could have broader political or terrorist connections. However, the court proceedings against the four men focused on the criminal damage and endangerment charges to which they pleaded guilty.
The guilty pleas mark a significant development in the investigation into one of the most serious attacks on London’s Jewish community this year.
