2026 Golders Green attack
Knife attack in London
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On 29 April 2026, a man armed with a knife stabbed and wounded two Jewish men in Golders Green, London, England. The UK government held an emergency Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms meeting to coordinate its response to the attack, which was declared as a terrorist incident by the Metropolitan Police. The suspect, a 45-year-old British national born in Somalia, was arrested by police.
| 2026 Golders Green attack | |
|---|---|
| Part of the 2026 London antisemitic attacks | |
| Location | Golders Green, London, England |
| Date | 29 April 2026 11:15–11:20 BST (UTC+1) |
| Weapon | Knife |
| Deaths | 0 |
| Injured | 2 |
Attack
On 29 April 2026, a man ran along Golders Green Road in London, attempting to stab Jewish passers‑by. Two men, aged 34 and 76, were stabbed.[1] At 11:15 BST, on Highfield Avenue, the assailant initated an attack on one man before chasing him. Shortly after, at 11:20 BST, the attacker targeted a second man attacking him repeatedly while he waited at the bus stop.[1] The two injured men were treated at the scene by Hatzola and taken to hospital. A 45‑year‑old man was detained by Shomrim volunteers before being tasered and arrested by police.[2] The attacker attempted to stab police officers before he was arrested.[3] The Iran-linked group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia claimed responsibility for the attack.[4] Metropolitan Police declared the attack a terrorist incident at 15:18.[5]
Commissioner Mark Rowley stated that the suspect had a "history of serious violence and mental health issues".[5] Police later confirmed that the suspect was a British national, born in Somalia. According to the BBC, he is a 45-year-old British national originally born in Somalia who came to the United Kingdom as a child in the early 1990s. The Metropolitan Police Service stated that he had previously been referred to the government’s Prevent counter-terrorism programme in 2020, although that referral was closed the same year. Commissioner Mark Rowley said the suspect had a history of serious violence and mental health issues. Following his arrest, the suspect was treated briefly in hospital and remains in police custody under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act while officers continue their investigation, including searches at an address in south-east London.[1]
Reactions
The UK government held a Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms (COBR) meeting to organise its response to the attack.[5] Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the attack as "deeply concerning" and "utterly appalling".[6] King Charles III said he was "deeply concerned" about the attack, expressing particular concern for its impact on the Jewish community and offering his thoughts and prayers to the victims, while thanking those who assisted at the scene.[7] London mayor Sadiq Khan said he was "angry," "appalled," and "disgusted" that Jewish people were "living their lives frightened." Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said "Suffice to say that this is not just an attack on Jewish people. This is much bigger, much broader, much more fundamental, and if you're the group currently being targeted, well, who's next?"[1]
Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar condemned Starmer's response and said that the UK "can no longer claim this is under control" and that "decisive and urgent" action is needed against antisemitism.[8] Israeli president Isaac Herzog said he was "horrified by yet another violent attack on Jews in broad daylight on the streets of London," and called on the British government to "take urgent and immediate action before the next antisemitic attack occurs."[9]