Terror police believe Golders Green suspect was involved in earlier altercation
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The UK’s chief Rabbi has said Jewish people are not safe all the time on British streets as he called on the public to support Jewish communities in the wake of Wednesday’s double stabbing.
Sir Ephraim Mirvis told the Jewish Chronicle the two men stabbed on Wednesday had been attacked because they were “visibly Jewish”.
A terrorist incident was declared on Wednesday following the attack.
The Metropolitan Police force confirmed that the 45-year-old suspect, who was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder, is a British national who was born in Somalia.
The two victims, who have been named as Nachman Moshe ben Chaya Sarah and Moshe Ben Baila, were taken to hospital with knife wounds following the incident on Highfield Avenue.
Police said the suspect had a “history of serious violence and mental health issues”.
During a press conference, Met Police chief Sir Mark Rowley was heckled with chants of “resign” and “shame on you”, while prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has called an emergency Cobra meeting.
It comes after a string of arson attacks targeting Jewish sites in north London.