In response to the attacks on Hatzola ambulances in Golders
Green, north London, on Monday 23 March, the Secretary of State
confirmed the government has arranged for replacement ambulances
to be provided on loan from the London Ambulance Service and will
cover the cost of replacements for the vehicles destroyed.
The loan ambulances will arrive today [24 March] and the
replacements will be provided as soon as possible.
Health and Social Care Secretary said:
This shocking, cowardly, and despicable act of evil was not only
an attack on London's Jewish community, but on an ambulance
service whose sole purpose is to save lives and care for others.
There is no doubt this attack was designed to strike fear into
the heart of Jewish people in Golders Green and across the
country. And, as a Member of Parliament who represents a
significant Jewish community further east in London, I know
what's happened will be felt painfully and acutely by all Jewish
people across our country.
The aim of these attackers is clear - they want Jewish people in
this country to live smaller lives, to live less Jewish lives, to
be less visible as Jewish people, and to fear going about Jewish
life - whether that's attending school or providing the services
and support that makes the Jewish community one of the most
resilient, strong, and proud communities in the country.
Hatzola's volunteers represent the very best of public service,
providing rapid, life-saving care to anyone in need, and it is
appalling that such a service has been targeted in this way.
Of course, the best form of solidarity is practical solidarity,
which is why today, our London Ambulance Service colleagues are
providing support to the team in Golders Green to make sure that
we don't skip a beat when it comes to responding to emergency
call-outs. We will also be providing four replacement ambulances,
initially on loan until we can provide permanent replacements.
The Jewish community should not bear the cost of this hatred.
This moment demands more than practical support. The Jewish
community will not stand alone – the government and this entire
country stand with them.
The answer cannot simply be higher walls, thicker doors, more
CCTV. We also have to deal with this hatred at its source. We
have to confront and beat the evil ideas that are permeating in
our society. Anti-Semitism is an old hatred, but it is alive and
kicking in our country, and all of us, particularly those who are
not Jewish, have to wake up, stand up, and work with our Jewish
friends and neighbours in confronting and defeating this
despicable hatred.
