Jewish ambulance charity attacked this year set to be given 'freedom of Barnet' honour

Two other Jewish groups are also being honoured by councillors in recognition of their “extraordinary service to the borough”, reports Joe Ives, Local Democracy Service

Barnet Council’s highest honour is set to be awarded to an “outstanding” Jewish ambulance service targeted in “despicable” suspected arson attack in Golders Green earlier this year.

The local authority plans to bestow the ‘Honorary Freedom of the London Borough of Barnet’ to the Northwest, Edgware and ‘HBS’ branches of the charity organisation at an extraordinary full council meeting this evening (Tuesday 7th).

The HBS section of the charity covers Southgate, Cockfosters, Hadley Wood and Barnet.

Community Security Trust (CST), an organisation which focuses on the safety and protection of Britain’s Jewish community, is also due to receive the honour, as is Shomrim NW London.

Shomrim NW London is a non-profit voluntary organisation. On its website, the organisation describes itself as “a mobile neighbourhood watch” that is made up of unpaid volunteers from the local community “regardless of ethnicity or religious affiliation”.

A report published ahead of Tuesday’s meeting at Hendon Town Hall says the awards were being bestowed in recognition of the organisations’ “extraordinary service to the borough”.

Four ambulances used by Hatzola were set on fire in Golders Green on 23rd March this year. The incident again raised concerns about antisemitism and the safety of Barnet’s Jewish community.

Last month, the police announced that a fifth person had been charged by police in relation to the attack. They are set to go on trial in January 2027 for the alleged offences.

Shortly after the incident in March, Andrew Walthers, an Orthodox Jewish councillor in Manchester, described how Hatzola ambulances are “not just a Jewish service”.

“If a call comes from within the area, they will come to your aid, whoever you are. There’s no cost to anyone and even on the sabbath, they’ll go to any case,” he added.

In its report, the council says it wishes to recognise “Hatzola’s outstanding contribution to the health and wellbeing of Barnet residents through the provision of a free, 24-hour volunteer emergency medical response service available to all members of the community”.

It continues: “For many years, Hatzola volunteers have responded to thousands of medical emergencies, worked alongside statutory emergency services, promoted community health and helped save and enhance countless lives across the borough.

“This honour also recognises the resilience and dedication shown by its volunteers in continuing this vital work following the despicable attack upon Hatzola ambulances on 23rd March 2026.”

The report adds: “In conferring the Honorary Freedom on these organisations, the council is formally recording the high esteem in which they are held by the council and the community and recognising the invaluable contribution they make to the life of the borough.”

Local news needs your support

We are proud that we were at the forefront of reporting on the recent local elections. We can’t do this without the support of our readers.

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

ACT NOW!

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else. £84 annual supporters get a print copy by post and a digital copy of each month's before anyone else.