Shabana Mahmood (Image: Getty)
The terror threat level has been raised to “severe” following the Golders Green attack.
The Home Office said another atrocity is “highly likely” after two Jewish men were stabbed in Golders Green, North London yesterday.
Officials said the threat from lone wolf extremists and small groups of fanatics has intensified.
Security chiefs said it “comes against a backdrop” of rising threats from Iran, Russia and China.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “Yesterday’s abhorrent, antisemitic attack was a vile act of terrorism.
“My thoughts today remain with the victims, and with the whole Jewish community at a time of deep disquiet and fear. My deepest thanks go to the volunteers and emergency services, a number of whom I met today. Their actions saved lives, and they are, and forever will be, heroes.
“Today, the national threat level has increased to ‘severe’, which means a terrorist attack is considered highly likely.
“I know this will be a source of concern to many, particularly amongst our Jewish community, who have suffered so much.
“The Government has today announced a significant increase in investment to protect our Jewish communities, with record funding for policing and security at synagogues, schools and community centres. And we will do everything in our power to rid society of the evil of antisemitism.
“As the threat level rises, I urge everyone to be vigilant, as they go about their daily lives, and report any concerns they have to the police.
“And I can assure everyone that our world-class security services and the police are working, day and night, to keep our country safe.”
The terror threat was last rated as SEVERE in November 2021, following the Liverpool Women’s Hospital bombing and murder of Sir David Amess, before being lowered to SUBSTANTIAL in February 2022.
A further £25 million will be invested to boost police patrols and protections around synagogues, schools and community centres, taking the total commitment this year to £58 million.
Keir Starmer visited Golders Green today (Image: Getty)
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Ms Mahmood faced fury from British Jews as they were told to ban pro-Palestine hate marches to “protect life”.
The Prime Minister and Home Secretary were booed and heckled as they finally visited Golders Green, North London, after two men were stabbed in a sickening knife rampage.
Protesters declared British Jews are “paying the price in blood” for the Government’s failure to tackle antisemitism.
But Sir Keir, who admitted entire communities are “scared”, refused to apologise for not doing more to protect them.
And the alleged attacker has been named as Essa Suleiman, a former Somali translator with a history of violent crimes.
Sir Keir and Ms Mahmood are under pressure to ban pro-Palestine protests after the Government’s terrorism watchdog, Jonathan Hall KC, warned they lead to the “demonisation of Jews and Israel”.
He added on Thursday: “We await an assessment as to whether Iran commissioned or inspired this attack – but ultimately it takes a UK resident to carry out an attack, so this is a social responsibility too. How do we reduce the risk that such individuals will carry out attacks?
“This is where antisemitism in the public and private domain comes in. I have spoken about a national security emergency and the risk, as I have warned about repeatedly, that demonisation of Jews and Israel and Zionists will lead to a terrorist attack.
“Since the right to life is more important than the right to protest, it makes sense to consider a pause or moratorium of protests where public demonisation and hatred is incubated. We are talking about protecting British lives, and the life of the community.”
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, in a visit to Golders Green, warned hatred towards Jewish people had become “embedded”.
He added: “Prime Minister, frankly, we’ve seen no action of any kind.
“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
“We have allowed marches to take place with chants being heard over the streets of London, and other cities and we’ve not acted and the Government has been weak, weak, weak.
“I’m not pretending we can reverse this tide of hatred overnight. We can’t. It’s here. It’s embedded, and it’s going to be a threat for many, many years to come.”
Mr Farage said the Prime Minister should expel the Iranian ambassador and proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as terrorist organisations.
He added: “We don’t do it because we keep on pandering, we keep on appeasing a certain section of the electorate.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said: “We do need to see an increased police presence.
“The Government has said it’s giving money – I don’t know exactly what the money is for, I don’t know if that money is enough.
“I do know that Shomrim says that they have never had any money from Government. They are having to look after themselves.
“We’re very lucky that there were police officers close by as well who supported them in apprehending the terrorists.
“But they were terrified and so are the men and women and the children, in fact, living in Barnet, but all over the country, people who look visibly Jewish, in particular, they’re terrified.”
Sir Keir was heckled with shouts of “traitor” as he visited Golders Green following the anti-Semitic attack in which two people were stabbed.
There were loud boos as Sir Keir’s convoy drew up at the Hatzola building, less than half a mile from the scene of Wednesday’s knife attacks, with the crowd chanting: “Shame on you” and “traitor”.
Hatzola ambulances were torched in an arson attack last month.
Itai Galmudy from Stop The Hate, which organised the protest, said: “We are on the streets today because something has broken.
“Our community is being stabbed and firebombed on British soil, and this government has failed to confront antisemitism, anti-Zionism and the Islamist extremism that fuels both.
“Sir Keir Starmer’s administration has failed, comprehensively and consistently, to confront antisemitism, and British Jews are now paying the price in blood.
“We are asking, openly, whether we still have a future in this country.
Nigel Farage also visited Golders Green (Image: Getty)
“Until that question is answered with action and not condemnation, we will keep saying what is now being said in every shul and every kitchen table in our community.”
Mendy Muster, a 23-year-old accountant and local resident, said: “We all think he is a coward for not answering us directly. He does want to be held accountable.
“He knows he has let us down. He knows it is his fault and he taking too long. He should have been yesterday, let alone today. He is not doing enough – he is not preventing anything, he is reacting.”
Sir Keir said in a televised address that some pro-Palestine protesters are supporting “extreme racism”.
He added: “Take the marches that happen regularly across Britain.
“Of course, we protect freedom of speech and peaceful protest in this country, but if you are marching with people wearing pictures of paragliders without calling it out, you are venerating the murder of Jews.
“If you stand alongside people who say, ‘globalise the Intifada’, you are calling for terrorism against Jews, and people who use that phrase should be prosecuted.
“It is racism, extreme racism, and it has left a minority community in this country scared, intimidated, wondering if they belong.
“So I say again, this Government will do everything in our power to stamp this hatred out, we will strengthen our security and protect our Jewish community.”
Suleiman, 45, was born in Somalia but came to the UK as a child in the early 1990s. One of his parents had been granted the right to remain after fleeing the east African country and their son later joined them.
He was then given British citizenship, it is understood.
Suleiman was also allegedly referred to the Government’s de-radicalisation programme, Prevent, in 2020.