Somali-Origin Man Charged in London Stabbing of Two Jewish Men

The suspect is Essa Suleiman from south-east London.

LONDON — A 45-year-old British man of Somali origin carried out a knife attack on two Jewish men in north London, police said Thursday, in what authorities are treating as a suspected act of terrorism targeting the Jewish community.

The assault took place in the Golders Green area, a neighborhood with a significant Jewish population. The victims, aged 76 and 34, were taken to the hospital, where officials said their conditions were stable.

London’s Metropolitan Police said officers used a Taser to subdue and arrest the suspect after he allegedly attempted to attack responding officers.

Police Commissioner Mark Rowley said preliminary investigations indicate the suspect may also have been involved in a separate violent incident earlier the same day in southeast London, in which another person sustained minor injuries.

The BBC understands that the suspect being held after the Golders Green knife attack yesterday is 45-year-old Essa Suleiman from south-east London.

He was born in Somalia, but came to the UK as a child in the early 1990s. He came legally and is now a British citizen.

Rowley added that the suspect had a prior history of serious violence and mental health issues, though authorities have not yet disclosed further details.

The incident comes amid growing concern over rising anti-Semitic attacks in the United Kingdom, heightening fears within Jewish communities.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other leaders called for swift measures to bolster security for Jewish populations abroad.

The British government said it would step up efforts to ensure public safety, while some witnesses expressed anger, accusing authorities of failing to adequately protect vulnerable communities.

Investigations are ongoing.

GAROWE ONLINE