A devastating attack on a Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, has left two people dead and three others injured. The attacker, identified as 35-year-old Jihad al-Shamie, a British citizen of Syrian descent, was shot dead by police after driving his car into pedestrians and stabbing worshippers outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue.
Attack Details:
– Date and Time: The attack occurred on October 2, 2025, at approximately 9:31 am BST.
– Location: Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Higher Crumpsall, Manchester.
– Victims: Two men, Adrian Daubly, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, both Jewish, lost their lives. One of the victims is believed to have been mistakenly shot by police officers responding to the incident.
Government Response:
– Prime Minister Keir Starmer: Vowed to redouble efforts to tackle antisemitism, deploying extra police assets to synagogues across the country.
– Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood: Urged protesters to “take a step back” and give the Jewish community time to grieve, while also calling for a pro-Palestinian protest in London to be canceled.
International Condemnation:
– UN Secretary-General António Guterres: Strongly condemned the attack, emphasizing the need to confront hatred and intolerance in all forms.
– Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: Expressed sympathy for the victims and their families, warning that weakness in the face of terrorism only leads to more terrorism.
The attack has raised concerns about rising antisemitism in the UK, with British Jewish leaders and community members expressing fear and sadness. The incident is being treated as a terrorist attack, and three people have been arrested in connection with the incident.