A brutal attack that left two people dead outside a synagogue in Manchester, England, has been officially declared an act of terrorism by Britain’s counterterrorism police. This horrific event unfolded on the morning of Yom Kippur, the most sacred day in the Jewish calendar, leaving three other individuals in serious condition.
According to Stephen Watson, the chief constable of the Manchester police, the assailant drove a vehicle directly at people before attacking them with a knife. The attacker was also seen wearing what appeared to be an explosive device vest, prompting a bomb squad to be called to the scene. Eyewitness Martin Hamer recounted seeing the attacker attempting to enter the synagogue through a window before police arrived. He described a chaotic scene with one person dead and another fighting for their life in front of the car. Police responded swiftly, fatally shooting the attacker within seven minutes of the initial report, preventing him from gaining access to the synagogue.
In the wake of the violence, Laurence Taylor, head of counterterrorism policing in the U.K., confirmed that police believe they know the assailant’s identity, though formal confirmation is pending. He emphasized that UK policing is rapidly mobilizing, increasing patrols at synagogues and Jewish sites nationwide to provide reassurance to affected communities. Mayor Andy Burnham of Manchester praised the quick police response and highlighted the heightened anxiety within the Jewish community due to rising antisemitism.
The attack occurred in a part of Manchester densely populated by Orthodox Jews, amplifying existing fears amidst ongoing tensions related to the conflict in Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue was filled with worshippers for morning prayers (Shacharis), which began at 9 a.m., just over half an hour before the attack was reported.
Reactions poured in from across Britain and beyond. Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his horror at the attack, noting its occurrence on Yom Kippur made it “all the more horrific.” He cut short a conference in Copenhagen to chair a government emergency committee meeting (COBRA). King Charles III conveyed deep sadness and shock, especially given the significant day for the Jewish community. Israel’s Embassy in the U.K. condemned the attack, thanking Greater Manchester Police for their rapid response and calling the act “abhorrent and deeply distressing.”
- Increased Security: Following the attack, security measures were rapidly escalated at Jewish institutions across Britain, including major community centers like JW3 in London. Mayor Sadiq Khan of London announced that Metropolitan Police would enhance their visible presence around London synagogues to reassure communities. Emily Spurrell, chair of Britain’s Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, confirmed additional resources were being deployed nationally.
- Antisemitism Context: This deadly incident unfolds amidst a significant rise in antisemitism globally and within Britain. The Community Security Trust reported 1,521 antisemitic incidents between January and June of this year, marking the second-highest rate ever recorded in the country. This trend follows the October 2023 Israel-Hamas conflict, which saw a record 2,019 incidents in the first half of 2024. A recent report by the Runnymede Trust suggested that current approaches to protecting Jews from hate crimes in Britain may be inadvertently worsening the problem by creating a perceived hierarchy of racisms.
- Historical Precedent: Manchester has previously experienced severe terror attacks. In May 2017, a suicide bombing at the Manchester Arena after an Ariana Grande concert killed 22 people and injured hundreds. Another stabbing incident near the arena on New Year’s Eve 2018 was also declared terrorism. Since 2017, a total of 19 violent attacks in Britain have been officially classified as terrorism.
- Community Safety Advice: The Community Security Trust issued immediate advice, urging people not to gather outside communal premises and to keep synagogue doors closed for safety.