Tragic Yom Kippur Attack at Manchester Synagogue Leaves Two Dead, Four Injured
A horrifying act of violence struck a synagogue in Manchester, England, on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, leaving two dead and four injured. The attacker, identified as Jihad Al-Shamie, a British citizen of Syrian descent, was shot dead by police. The incident, described as a terror attack by authorities, has sent shockwaves through the British Jewish community and drawn widespread condemnation from UK party leaders.
Background and Context
The attack occurred at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall, north of Manchester city. Around 9:30 a.m, eyewitnesses reported a car being driven erratically before it crashed into the gates of the synagogue. Within seconds, the driver had exited the vehicle and began stabbing nearby individuals. The victims have been identified as Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66.
The Incident and Police Response
According to the Greater Manchester Police (GMP), they received a call at 9.31 a.m from a member of the public reporting a car being driven towards pedestrians and a man being stabbed. Responding to the incident, the GMP declared a major incident and deployed firearm officers who shot the suspect, believed to be Jihad Al-Shamie, at 9.38 a.m.
The force further stated that the injuries sustained by the victims were caused by both the vehicle and stabbings. Fox News reported that authorities declared it a terrorist incident and later arrested two more suspects in connection to the attack.
Reactions and Aftermath
This tragic event, described as the worst antisemitic incident in the UK in living memory
by The Guardian, has sparked widespread condemnation and shock. UK party leaders interrupted their schedules to express their sympathy for the victims and their families, and to condemn the attacker. Prime Minister Keir Starmer returned from Copenhagen to chair a meeting of the government’s emergency Cobra committee.
Residents, undeterred by the horrific incident, insisted their diverse neighborhood would stick together. Barry Moore, a local resident, told The Guardian, These people are sent to divide us, but they won’t.
Current Status
The investigation into the terror attack is ongoing, with Counter Terrorism Policing and Greater Manchester Police leading the efforts. Meanwhile, the Jewish community, both locally and globally, mourns the loss of life on a day that was meant for reflection and atonement. The Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, once a place of peace and worship, has now become the latest symbol of rising antisemitism. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to combat hate and bigotry in all its forms.