London Metropolitan Police have declared a terrorist incident after two Jewish men were stabbed Wednesday morning in the Golders Green neighborhood of north London, a district with a large Jewish population. The victims, identified locally as Shilome Rand, 34, and Moshe Shine, 76, were treated at the scene and transported to hospital, where both remained in stable condition. Police said the attack occurred at approximately 11:16 a.m. local time on Highfield Avenue, off Golders Green Road.

A 45-year-old British national born in Somalia was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after officers used a stun gun to subdue him. The suspect also attempted to stab the responding officers, though none were injured. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley noted that the unarmed officers feared the suspect might be carrying an explosive device when he refused to show his hands, and said the man has a documented history of serious violence and mental health issues. Police have also linked the suspect to an earlier altercation Tuesday at an address in Southwark, in which a property occupant suffered minor injuries.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned what he called an "antisemitic attack" that was "utterly appalling," stating that "attacks on our Jewish community are attacks on Britain." He promised additional government funding for community protection and said authorities would "take measures to deal with malign state actors." London Mayor Sadiq Khan also condemned the attack and announced high-visibility police patrols in the area. Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said counterterrorism officers are working to determine whether the attack deliberately targeted the Jewish community.

The attack comes amid what officials and community leaders describe as a rising tide of antisemitic incidents across the United Kingdom. Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis called on institutions and leaders to move beyond words of condemnation to "meaningful action." Commissioner Rowley warned that "some individuals are being encouraged, persuaded or paid to commit acts of violence on behalf of foreign organizations and hostile states" and called for broader public condemnation of recent attacks on British Jews. Police have said a search is underway at an address in southeast London as the investigation continues.