Two members of the Jewish community were killed in an attack at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in north Manchester on Thursday morning. In response, the Prime Minister held an emergency COBRA meeting that afternoon.
A further three people are currently in hospital with serious injuries. The attacker was shot dead by Greater Manchester Police. Authorities reported that the attacker was also wearing a “vest with the appearance of an explosive device.” The incident has been declared a terrorist attack, and two further arrests have been made.
In a statement from Downing Street on Thursday evening, Labour leader Keir Starmer said it was clear that “hatred is rising once again” and emphasized that “Britain must defeat it once again.” He added, “Earlier today, on Yom Kippur, the holiest day for the Jewish community, a vile individual committed a terrorist attack that targeted Jews because they are Jews.”
The Prime Minister promised the Jewish community that he would “do everything in my power to guarantee you the security that you deserve, starting with a more visible police presence, protecting your community.” He continued, “I promise you that over the coming days, you will see the other Britain, the Britain of compassion, of decency, of love. And I promise you that this Britain will come together to wrap our arms around your community and show you that Britain is a place where you and your family are safe, secure, and belong.”
Labour MP Patrick Hurley, speaking to PoliticsHome, stressed the importance of ensuring “the voices of the Jewish community are heard and acted upon.” Hurley represents Southport, where three girls were killed in a mass stabbing last year that led to violent riots locally and across the country. He described the Manchester attack as a “racist attack” targeting the Jewish community “on the basis of their ethnicity,” drawing parallels to the targeting of the Muslim community during the Southport riots.
Hurley called on people to “think twice about how their own politics are perceived by people who are in a minority and under threat.” He highlighted concerns around the flying of the English flag, the flag of St George, and the Union Jack, noting that some feel such displays can make minority communities feel unwelcome. “Maybe thought needs to be given around what sort of flags might make the Jewish community feel unwelcome as well,” he said, urging individuals to consider stepping back from activism that may unintentionally intimidate vulnerable groups.
He concluded: “Offer that olive branch and that hand of support and friendship to the Jewish people across the UK, who will accurately be feeling under threat right now, and they will be feeling scared and intimidated. I wouldn’t say anybody from any authorities or any state agencies should step in, but I think people should just be mindful of what they do.”
Home Office data suggests that religious hate crimes against Jewish people in England and Wales have doubled in the last year. Offences against Jewish people accounted for a third of all religious hate crimes recorded by police.
The attack has been widely condemned by faith leaders. The Bishop of Manchester, the Right Reverend Dr. David Walker, stated: “Such acts of violence have no place in our communities. Manchester is a city built on diversity, mutual respect, and unity.”
Imam Qari Asim, co-chairman of the British Muslim Network, expressed his horror at the incident, describing it as “utterly abhorrent” and affirmed that it “has no place in our society.”
https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/prime-minister-condemns-vile-terrorist-two-killed-outside-manchester-synagogue
