Ex Royal Marines drafted in to defend synagogues and Jewish schools after antisemitism surge

Former Royal Marines and Parachute Regiment veterans have been deployed to safeguard synagogues, schools and other Jewish community sites throughout Britain following a surge in antisemitic violence.

The hiring of ex-soldiers from elite military units comes in the aftermath of Wednesday's stabbing attack in Golders Green, where two Jewish men were wounded, and a series of arson incidents targeting Jewish-linked locations in recent weeks.

On Thursday, the Government elevated the national terrorism threat level to severe, indicating that another attack is considered highly likely.

The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre, which operates independently within MI5, had previously assessed the threat as substantial.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley described British Jews as facing an "epidemic" of antisemitism and warned they confronted a "ghastly Venn diagram" of hatred from multiple directions.

Essa Suleiman, a 45-year-old British national who was born in Somalia and arrived in the UK legally as a child during the 1990s, has been charged in connection with the attack.

He appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday facing three counts of attempted murder and one count of possessing a bladed article in public.

The court heard that Suleiman had been residing at supported accommodation in south-east London for individuals leaving secure hospital settings.

South London and Maudsley NHS Trust confirmed he had been receiving care from their mental health services.

Commander Helen Flanagan, who leads Counter Terrorism Policing London, stated: "Our thoughts remain with the victims involved, and specialist officers continue to provide them with support as their recovery continues."

Sir Mark Rowley has requested urgent funding to recruit 300 additional officers dedicated to protecting Jewish communities.

The Community Security Trust (CST), which advises Britain's approximately 280,000 Jews on security matters, has engaged a private contractor to recruit personnel from elite fighting units within the Royal Navy and Army.

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These former troops are believed to have first been deployed following the Manchester synagogue attack last October, when a terrorist drove into worshippers during Yom Kippur services, killing two people.

The CST operates with a £28million annual Home Office grant for Jewish community site security, though many institutions have supplemented this by dipping into their own funds.

The organisation has also trained more than 2,000 volunteers to help protect Jewish sites, including instruction in Krav Maga, the Israeli-developed self-defence system.

A CST spokesperson said the organisation "deploys a range of capabilities as part of our operations protecting the Jewish community."

Alma, a Jewish primary school, has launched an urgent fundraising campaign seeking £50,000 for enhanced security infrastructure.

Sam Bianco, co-chair of Friends of Alma, said: "Everyone is really shaken by this incident. We just want to keep our children safe."

While emphasising that existing security arrangements remain robust, Mr Bianco explained the additional measures were about "future-proofing the school" as the threat landscape evolves.

The CST has indicated it may cover up to half the costs for recommended upgrades to CCTV, fencing and physical security infrastructure.

Bianco added: "None of us should have to be spending our time raising money for security - we should just be focusing on education."