As attacks on Europe’s Jewish communities escalate, Iran may be recruiting operatives online

The Kenton United Synagogue, in northwest London, was one of a string of mainly Jewish sites struck in arson attacks across the British capital and other European cities in the past two months, including schools, businesses and volunteer-run ambulances.

An official works among the burnt out ambulances at the scene of an antisemitic arson attack in the Golders Green neighbourhood of north London on March 24.

At least 17 incidents have been claimed by a shadowy online group calling itself Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia (HAYI), roughly translated from Arabic as “The Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right(eous)” – which only emerged online in March and says it’s targeting “Zionist” interests.

A CNN investigation has found apparent links between HAYI and an Iran-backed Shia paramilitary group. It has also found that what appear to be Iran-linked operatives are using social media to attempt to recruit individuals to carry out surveillance and potential violence against sites linked to the Jewish community in Europe.

Read more: CNN