The impact of war and hatred

The impact of war and hatred

Since publishing our previous Prayer Page, the Jewish community of Golders Green, London, have experienced a terrifying antisemitic attack on four Hatzola ambulances, used by Jewish volunteers to assist the whole of the local community with emergency care. News media covered this story incorrectly, saying that it was a Jewish service for just the Jewish community. But Hatzola serves the needs of the wider community with its staff and ambulances, supporting the NHS. Major damage was done to the four ambulances parked up near the synagogue because oxygen cylinders inside them exploded. But it was also very troubling for a community that is already afraid of the increasing acts of vandalism, hate crime and more - all of which is pure antisemitism and intimidation.

Since then, there have been further arson attacks and threats to other Jewish institutes and areas. Thankfully, arrests have been made after the attempted arson attack on Finchley Synagogue, which has been classed as an antisemitic hate crime. Police patrols in the area have increased.

As those who stand with Jewish communities across the globe - we can pray for them and often also show support physically, practically, or write to government to highlight the growing fear and the trauma that’s now making the Jews in UK refrain from showing signs of their faith.

The UK government has intervened and provided replacements for the four wrecked ambulances in Golders Green. A funding page helped raise over £1 million which is to be used to help make the site more secure, preventing such attacks in the future.

Let’s pray for them:

• Ask the Lord to comfort the Jewish communities in the UK and help them heal from ongoing fear, trauma and isolation. Pray that their hearts would be soft, still and cry out in prayer too. Psalm 3:3
• Pray that each of their special festival times with family and friends are peaceful and deeply meaningful. Some have lost loved ones in recent years and will miss them at festival meals.
• Give thanks that King Charles III has agreed to take on the patronage of the Community Security Trust, (CST) in a major show of support for the UK’s Jewish community amid increasing antisemitism. Pray this is a comfort to the Jewish people in their communities and that his heart is open to hear from them and how they feel.
• Pray that the King and the Royal Family get more involved, visit Jewish communities, and try to understand how the threats and the fear are prompting some to consider making Aliyah to Israel, while others need long-term support as they remain in the UK.
• Pray for the UK media to report accurately on issues facing the Jewish community. Pray for compassion and greater tolerance in areas of London in particular.

Let’s pray for Israel too:

Where the population has become increasingly weary after constant barrages of ballistic missiles and cluster bombs (which are considered illegal by many) until the recent ceasefire. They are fearful, often having to experience siren alerts to move to bomb shelters and cellars multiple times in the night and during the day. Schools have been closed and routines are affected. Parents care for families at home under restrictions, while many homes have been destroyed and abandoned as hundreds have been displaced to hotels again - often great distances from home. People have been injured and are hospitalised - some have lost loved ones and are in a time of deep grief. Constant trauma works out its effects in the people, whether Jewish, Druze, Arab or other communities.

• Ask the Lord how to pray about those affected in such times of threat, fear, and uncertainty.
• Pray for the protection of innocence lives and great wisdom for Israeli government and security.
• Pray for CFI helping in the land of Israel in these difficult days.
• Pray for the people of Iran under their regime of tyranny and for the Jewish community in Iran.

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Julia Soakell

April 2026