British police have charged a 45-year-old man with arson with intent to endanger life following an attack on a former synagogue in east London last week, authorities said on Tuesday.
Emergency services responded to the blaze after reports of a fire at the historic building, which previously served as a synagogue and remains closely linked to the local Jewish community. Police said the suspect was arrested shortly after the incident and has since been formally charged.
Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the attack, including whether it was motivated by hate or extremism. No fatalities were reported, though officials said the fire posed a serious risk to nearby residents and property.
The incident comes amid growing concern over antisemitism in the United Kingdom. Jewish community organizations and monitoring groups have reported a sharp rise in antisemitic abuse, threats and vandalism in recent years, particularly following tensions in the Middle East and heightened political polarization.
According to campaign groups, incidents targeting Jewish schools, synagogues and community centers have increased across several British cities, prompting calls for stronger security measures and tougher enforcement against hate crimes.
Political leaders and faith representatives condemned the latest attack, describing it as an assault not only on a place connected to Jewish heritage, but also on community safety and religious tolerance in Britain.
The accused man is expected to appear before a London court later this week. Photo by Quinn Dombrowski from Berkeley, USA, Wikimedia commons.
