UK police have charged a 45-year-old man following the stabbing of two Jewish men in north London, in what authorities have classified as a terrorist incident amid rising concerns over antisemitism.
The Metropolitan Police said Essa Suleiman, from Camberwell in south London, faces three counts of attempted murder and one count of possession of a bladed article in a public place.
One of the attempted murder charges relates to a separate incident in south London earlier in the week, where Suleiman allegedly had an altercation with a resident in a flat. The remaining charges stem from the attack in Golders Green, an area known for its large Jewish community.
The Golders Green stabbing occurred in broad daylight and left two victims — aged 76 and 34 — with knife injuries. Both were treated at the scene before being taken to hospital. Police confirmed the younger victim has since been discharged, while the older man remains in stable condition.
Authorities said the case is being handled by Counter Terrorism Policing, underscoring the seriousness of the incident.
Suleiman, a British national originally from Somalia, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
Commander Helen Flanagan, who is leading the investigation, urged the public to avoid speculation as legal proceedings begin, stressing the importance of ensuring justice for the victims.
The attack has intensified fears within Britain’s Jewish community, with growing criticism directed at the government over safety concerns. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged increased protection measures, including additional funding for security at synagogues, schools and community centres.
During a visit to the scene, Starmer faced public anger, with some members of the community accusing authorities of failing to prevent repeated attacks. In a televised address, he called for national unity against antisemitism, urging citizens to recognise the fear and suffering within the Jewish community.
Mark Rowley warned that the UK is experiencing a “growing pandemic of antisemitism,” noting that policing alone cannot address the underlying societal issues.
The UK government has raised the national terrorism threat level to “severe,” indicating that another attack is considered highly likely. Additional funding has also been announced to bolster security at Jewish institutions.
The incident follows a series of recent attacks targeting Jewish sites, including a deadly synagogue attack in Manchester and arson incidents in north London. Monitoring groups report a broader rise in both antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents, particularly since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Meanwhile, Nigel Farage criticised authorities for what he described as a weak response to inflammatory rhetoric at pro-Palestinian protests, adding to the ongoing political debate over public safety and civil liberties.
