Suspect named in Golders Green stabbing as UK terror threat level raised to ‘severe’

Suleiman was referred in 2020 to the government’s terrorism prevention program, Prevent, but the case was shelved.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Authorities in the United Kingdom identified a suspect in a stabbing attack in the Golders Green neighborhood of London on Wednesday and raised the national terror threat level to “severe,” citing the general security environment.

Essa Suleiman, 45, was arrested on suspicion of attempting to murder Shloime Rand, 34, and Moshe Shine, 76, in the Wednesday morning attack. He remains in police custody.

Suleiman was initially apprehended by Shomrim, a patrol group operating in the predominantly Jewish neighborhood, before being taken into custody by police.

According to available details, Suleiman was born in Somalia and was brought to the UK illegally as a child before later becoming a British citizen.

He was referred in 2020 to the government’s terrorism prevention program, Prevent, but the case was shelved, according to the BBC.

The stabbing is described as the latest in a series of antisemitic incidents in the UK, with three reported attacks in the Jewish neighborhood in London over the past month.

Following the incident, authorities elevated the country’s terror threat level from “substantial” to “severe,” indicating a high likelihood of further attacks. Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood announced the change, stating it was made in response to the broader security situation.

In an interview with GB News, Levi Schapiro, a local Jewish leader in Golders Green, criticized the UK government, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, for engaging in rhetoric after antisemitic attacks but not taking sufficient action.

“This keeps happening under the current government and current prime minister,” he said.

“He’s already said everything that can be said,” Schapiro noted. “But it’s not translating into reality.”

“I’m hearing it directly from people,” he added. “They’re not comforted. They’re worried.”