Statement Regarding the Burning of Hatzolah Ambulances

The following is a statement from the Derbyshire Jewish Community Coordinators:

The Derbyshire Jewish Community is deeply saddened by the burning of Hatzolah ambulances in London this morning.

Hatzolah is a volunteer emergency service that provides life-saving care to anyone in need, regardless of background or faith. Their work represents the very best of community spirit, with volunteers stepping forward to help others when they need it most.

For Jewish communities across the UK, including here in Derbyshire, incidents like this send a deeply troubling message. When a service dedicated solely to saving lives is targeted, it creates fear and insecurity far beyond the location of the attack.

For smaller Jewish communities like ours - warm, welcoming, and close-knit - events like this reinforce a real sense of vulnerability. Many in our community will feel increasingly anxious about their safety and the environment in which they are living.

This does not happen in isolation. Over recent years, and particularly in recent months and weeks, there has been a pattern of attacks and incidents affecting Jewish communal life - from places of worship to schools and community spaces. Each incident adds to a growing sense of unease.

Senseless acts of violence like this undermine the safety and wellbeing of Jewish communities across the country and put us on edge. They are also an affront to wider society, which depends on the compassion and dedication of volunteers like those at Hatzolah.

We stand in solidarity with Hatzolah’s volunteers and all those affected, and we hope those responsible are brought to justice swiftly.

Those wishing to support the rebuilding of this vital service can do so here: https://hatzola.org/donate/

Derbyshire Jewish Community Coordinators