British authorities investigated a security incident near London’s Israeli Embassy on April 19, 2024, following claims by the pro-Iranian group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiyya that it targeted the premises with drones carrying dangerous substances. Matt Jukes, head of counter-terrorism at London Police, confirmed no signs of an attack on the embassy but officers found discarded items nearby.
Key Takeaways
British authorities investigated a security incident near London’s Israeli Embassy on April 19, 2024, after a pro-Iranian group claimed it targeted the premises with drones carrying dangerous substances. Police found discarded items but deemed them non-hazardous and reopened Kensington Gardens. The embassy confirmed no attack occurred.
- Pro-Iranian group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiyya posted a video claiming to target the Israeli Embassy with drones.
- London police investigated whether discarded items, including two jars of powdered substance, were linked to the drone threat.
- Kensington Gardens was closed during investigations but reopened after no hazardous materials were found.
- The incident follows recent attacks on Jewish sites in London, including arson attempts at synagogues.
The group posted a video online showing drones and figures in protective gear. Police are investigating whether these items are linked to the video. Kensington Gardens was cordoned off, and the public was advised to avoid the area while investigations continued. Commander Helen Flanagan of Counter Terrorism Policing London confirmed that suspicious items, including two jars containing a powdered substance, were found near the embassy but deemed non-hazardous.
The Israeli Embassy issued a statement confirming all staff were safe and no attack occurred. This incident follows several recent attacks on Jewish sites in London, including an arson attack on ambulances belonging to Hatzola near Golders Green synagogue last month. Two suspects were arrested this week over an attempted arson attack on a north London synagogue.
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis stated that a sustained campaign of violence against the Jewish community in the UK is gathering momentum, marking the third arson attack on Jewish sites in less than a week. British counterterror police are leading investigations into these incidents and examining claims by Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiyya.
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