Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis has called the arson attacks a "particularly sickening assault - not only on the Jewish community, but on the values we share as a society".

He describes the Hatzola ambulance service "extraordinary", adding that its "sole mission is to protect life, Jewish and non-Jewish alike".

"The targeting of Hatzola by people so committed to terror, hatred and the desecration of life is a most painful illustration of the ongoing battle between those who sanctify life and those who seek to destroy it," he adds in his post on X.

"At a time when Jewish communities around the world are facing a growing pattern of these violent attacks, we will meet this moment with shared resolve and stand together against hatred and intimidation."

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has condemned the incident as "a sickening attack on Jewish ambulances", and urges anyone with information to come forward to the police.

"Thank goodness there appear to be no injuries,” he adds in his post on X. "We must stand together against antisemitic hatred."

An arson attack on four ambulances belonging to a Jewish community ambulance service in north London is being treated as an "antisemitic hate crime", the Metropolitan Police says.

Four Hatzola ambulances were found on fire after the London Fire Brigade was called to Highfield Road in Golders Green at around 01:40 GMT.

The fire brigade said multiple cylinders in the vehicles exploded and caused windows to break and the fire to affect a nearby block of flats.

Six fire engines and about 40 firefighters were sent to contain the blaze.

Nearby houses were evacuated as a precaution, and around 30 people have been taken to a local shelter.

There were no injuries, police said, and all fires have been put out. There have been no arrests so far, they added. (BBC)

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