UK terrorism threat level raised to 'severe' following Golders Green stabbing attack | BBC News

The UK's Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre raised the national terror threat level from 'substantial' to 'severe' in the wake of a stabbing attack on two Jewish men in Golders Green, North London. The 'severe' designation — not seen since the murder of MP David Amess — means a terrorist attack is considered highly likely within the next six months. Officials clarified the decision was triggered not solely by the Golders Green attack but also by a broader increase in Islamist and extreme right-wing terror threats, as well as state-linked threats from countries like Iran.

The suspect, identified as 45-year-old Essa Sullean from Southeast London, was born in Somalia and came to the UK legally as a child in the 1990s. He had been referred to the government's counterterrorism Prevent program six years prior. He was arrested following the attack after being tasered by police and subdued by community members, including Isaac, who chased and restrained him. One victim, 76-year-old Mosher Shine, is in stable condition. The second victim, 34-year-old Schlloy Mirand, spoke from his hospital bed describing the stabbing as a 'big miracle,' while calling on the government to change its tone on antisemitism beyond issuing statements.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited the scene but was met with heckling and booing from members of the Jewish community who accused the government of failing to protect them. He met with the Hatzola emergency response team — whose ambulances were recently burned in an arson attack — and pledged new measures including more visible policing, cracking down on hate preachers, faster sentencing for antisemitic attacks, and new legislation targeting foreign state threats. His independent adviser on terrorism legislation described antisemitism as the biggest national security emergency since COVID.

In Manchester, the broader crisis facing British Jews was illustrated through Richard Manville, a lifelong Mancunian who is emigrating to Israel, citing an 'almost toxic atmosphere' of antisemitism. He lives near Heaton Park Synagogue, site of a deadly attack the previous year. Community representatives called for decisive government action, noting that antisemitism has gone unchecked across schools, universities, workplaces, and the NHS. A recent survey found that one in five British Jews are considering leaving for Israel within the next five years.