UK Investigates Foreign Role in Antisemitic Attacks, Starmer Warns Iran
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has warned Iran against inciting antisemitism or attempting to destabilize British society, as the UK investigates potential foreign state involvement in a series of recent attacks targeting Jewish individuals and institutions. Security agencies are examining whether a foreign power, including Iran, played a role in the incidents, with all possibilities under active investigation. Starmer made the remarks during a summit at Downing Street attended by leaders from policing, education, business, and religious communities. He confirmed the government is fast-tracking new anti-terror legislation to counter state-linked threats and announced £1.5 million in additional funding to bolster security for high-risk Jewish communities and strengthen national cohesion. The warning follows a stabbing attack in Golders Green, north London, that left two Jewish men seriously injured and was declared terror-related by police. Counter-terrorism units are also probing an attempted murder in Southwark and a suspected arson at a former synagogue in Whitechapel, along with prior incidents involving ambulances linked to Jewish emergency volunteers and attacks on memorial sites. The UK government faces growing pressure from Jewish community leaders to act decisively. Some have called for the proscription of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), already designated a terrorist entity by several Western nations. Starmer reiterated that antisemitism is rising and stems from Islamist, far-right, and far-left extremism, requiring a unified national response. The government will introduce new powers to ban organizations supporting overseas violence and enhance surveillance of state-backed extremist activities. A national cohesion strategy is being developed, and counter-terrorism officials will provide an updated threat assessment in the coming weeks.