U.K. calls antisemitism an emergency after arson and stabbing attacks on Jewish people

Members of the community watch as forensic officers search the area after two people were stabbed in the Golders Green neighborhood, that has a large Jewish community, in London, Wednesday. Kin Cheung/AP hide caption toggle caption Kin Cheung/AP LONDON — The British government on Thursday said the country was facing an antisemitism emergency and pledged funding to increase security for Jewish communities after a string of arson attacks and a double stabbing that have sparked fear and anger. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said "an attack on our Jewish community is an attack on all of us" after two Jewish men, aged 34 and 76, were stabbed and seriously injured in Golders Green, an area in north London that is an epicenter of Britain's Jewish community. Both men are in a stable condition. But some in the community turned their anger on a government they say is failing to tackle antisemitism. Starmer was heckled by about 100 protesters holdings signs saying "Keir Starmer, Jew harmer" when he visited Golders Green on Thursday. Police have arrested a 45-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder and labeled the stabbing attack as an act of terrorism. Detectives are working to determine a motive and whether there is any link to Iranian proxies. The suspect, whose name hasn't been released, had "a history of serious violence and mental health issues" and may have been involved in an "altercation" in another area of London hours before the Golders Green attack, the force said. …