The U.K. calls antisemitism an emergency as police investigate stabbing of 2 Jewish men

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. calls antisemitism an emergency after arson and stabbing attacks on Jewish people April 30, 2026 10:31 AM ET By The Associated Press Members of the community watch as forensic officers search the area after two people were stabbed in the Golders Green neighborhood, that has a large Jewish community, in London, Wednesday. Kin Cheung/AP hide caption toggle caption Kin Cheung/AP LONDON — The British government on Thursday said the country was facing an antisemitism emergency and pledged funding to increase security for Jewish communities after a string of arson attacks and a double stabbing that have sparked fear and anger. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said "an attack on our Jewish community is an attack on all of us" after two Jewish men, aged 34 and 76, were stabbed and seriously injured in Golders Green, an area in north London that is an epicenter of Britain's Jewish community.

Both men are in a stable condition. But some in the community turned their anger on a government they say is failing to tackle antisemitism. Starmer was heckled by about 100 protesters holdings signs saying "Keir Starmer, Jew harmer" when he visited Golders Green on Thursday.

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Sponsor Message Consider This from NPR How an antisemitic conspiracy theory made its way to a state capitol Police have arrested a 45-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder and labeled the stabbing attack as an act of terrorism. Detectives are working to determine a motive and whether there is any link to Iranian proxies. The suspect, whose name hasn't been released, had "a history of serious violence and mental health issues" and may have been involved in an "altercation" in another area of London hours before the Golders Green attack, the force said.

In 2020 he was referred to the government's Prevent program, which tries to steer individuals away from extremism. The police force said his file was closed later the same year, and did not disclose the reason for the referral. Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer (center), Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley (right) and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood (2nd left) speak with members of the Jewish community during a visit to Golders Green, north west London, Thursday, following an attack on Wednesday in which two men were stabbed.

Stefan Rousseau/PA Pool Photo/AP hide caption toggle caption Stefan Rousseau/PA Pool Photo/AP The stabbings follow arson attacks Britain's Jewish community, which numbers about 300,000 people, has faced growing attacks online and in the streets. The number of antisemitic incidents reported across the U. has soared since the attack by Hamas-led militants on southern Israel on Oct.

7, 2023, and the subsequent war in Gaza, according to the Community Security Trust charity. police have identified the suspected attacker of a Manchester synagogue Last October, an attacker drove his car into people gathered outside a Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur and fatally stabbed one person.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.