Manchester, England, has tragically joined a growing list of cities, including Boulder, Colorado, and Washington, that have witnessed anti-Jewish violence. This latest incident has deeply shaken British Jews, who are now confronting the disturbing reality that antisemitism, already a rising threat, has taken an even more lethal turn in their country.
Much like other nations in Europe and the United States, Britain has seen a significant increase in antisemitic acts over the past two years. This surge aligns with the period following the attack by Hamas militants on Israeli civilians and the subsequent military response by Israel in Gaza.
While Britain has been spared recent direct attacks on its synagogues, Jewish individuals and places of worship have, unfortunately, been targets in various thwarted terrorist plots over the last decade.
David Feldman, co-director of the Birkbeck Institute for the Study of Antisemitism in London, expressed profound concern, stating, “We haven’t experienced an incident of this nature here before. It is, quite literally, unprecedented.”
This attack is expected to escalate the ongoing debate in Britain surrounding the conflict in Gaza, a situation that has already triggered a worldwide surge in antisemitism and a strong global reaction against Israel.
The shocking incident, where a man drove his vehicle into congregants and then stabbed them outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation, evokes unsettling memories. It brings to mind the attack in Boulder last June during a rally for hostages held by Hamas, as well as the tragic shooting of two Israeli Embassy staff members in Washington just two weeks prior.
Professor Feldman, speaking on Thursday afternoon, noted his hesitation to directly connect this attack, which resulted in two fatalities and four injuries, to the broader increase in antisemitic incidents, given that the assailant’s identity and motives were still unknown. However, he emphasized that this event would undoubtedly send ripples through the Jewish community, creating unforeseen impacts.
“This incident undeniably alters the perception of what’s possible,” Professor Feldman stated. “How the Jewish community will come to terms with this remains uncertain. What is most certain is that individuals within the British Jewish population, which is currently more fractured than ever before, will each grapple with it in their own unique ways.”
Immediately after the attack, a pervasive sense of fear and sorrow enveloped synagogues and Jewish community centers across the nation. Police swiftly deployed officers to protect these locations, establishing a visible presence, such as at JW3, a well-known Jewish center in North London, where police were observed conversing with a rabbi.
The Community Security Trust, a British organization dedicated to monitoring antisemitism and coordinating security for Jewish institutions with authorities, advised the public against gathering outside communal buildings and urged synagogues to maintain closed doors at all times.
The trust has consistently raised concerns about the increase in antisemitism, documenting 1,521 antisemitic acts between January and June of this year. These incidents encompassed physical assaults, property destruction, graffiti, online harassment, and three instances classified as “extreme violence.” This figure represents the second-highest number of anti-Jewish incidents the group has ever recorded in Britain.
The peak number of such incidents, 2,019 cases, was documented in the first half of 2024. This spike occurred after the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths. Israel’s subsequent military operations in Gaza have since claimed tens of thousands of lives, including a significant number of civilians.
On Thursday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer publicly recognized the surge of antisemitism. Following an emergency cabinet meeting, he declared, “We must unequivocally state that this hatred is resurfacing, and Britain is obligated to conquer it once more.”
Even prior to Thursday’s attack, a number of observers noted that the tense climate in Britain had already instilled a fear of everyday violence among many Jewish individuals.
Eric Pickles, a Conservative member of the House of Lords and former special envoy for post-Holocaust issues, shared with Times Radio his observations: “In recent years, I’ve seen Jewish friends express genuine worries for their safety, whether it’s their children using public transport or their elderly parents. I believe this reflects a society that has become incredibly raw and corrupt.”
London, alongside other European capitals, has been a focal point for large, generally peaceful weekly demonstrations against Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which have led to an escalating humanitarian crisis. Occasionally, smaller pro-Israel demonstrations have also taken place.
However, the landscape of protest has grown contentious. The British government recently designated Palestine Action, a prominent pro-Palestinian group, as a terrorist organization. This decision followed incidents where activists breached a Royal Air Force base, vandalized aircraft engines with red paint, and damaged planes using crowbars.
In September, London police arrested over 800 protestors who were demonstrating in solidarity with Palestine Action. The majority were apprehended for displaying placards backing the group, while a small number faced charges of assaulting police officers.
Prime Minister Starmer recently declared Britain’s recognition of a Palestinian state, aligning with France, Canada, Australia, and Portugal. He explained that this decision was driven by the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, citing “intolerable starvation and devastation,” and expressed hope that it could aid in reviving the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
Britain has taken action against two far-right members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet, Itamar Ben-Gvir (security minister) and Bezalel Smotrich (finance minister), by adding them to a blacklist. Additionally, the country has partially halted its weapons exports to Israel.
Despite these actions, Prime Minister Starmer has encountered pressure from within his own Labour Party to adopt a more stringent stance against Israel. Some critics have pointed out that his commitment to recognizing a Palestinian state comes with conditions, a contrast to France’s approach. Others have faulted him for not implementing a complete ban on weapons sales, noting that Britain still provides components for F-35 fighter jets, which the Israeli Air Force utilizes in Gaza.
Accusations of “Genocide!” have resounded from Labour Party members in Parliament; however, the government has refrained from officially labeling Israel’s conduct in the Gaza conflict as such.
The distressing visuals of suffering in Gaza have also created divisions within Britain’s Jewish community, as reported by Mr. Feldman. He mentioned that recent polls indicate a decline in the popularity of the “Zionist idea” among British Jews, especially among the younger generation.
According to a recent report by the Runnymede Trust, a British think tank dedicated to social justice, the current methods for safeguarding Jews against hate crimes in Britain are proving ineffective. The report suggests these methods might even be worsening tensions by fostering a belief among other communities that they do not receive the same level of protection.
In a message to British Jews, Prime Minister Starmer pledged: “I assure you that in the days ahead, you will witness a different side of Britain – a nation of compassion, integrity, and affection. I promise that this Britain will unite to embrace your community, demonstrating that this country is a safe, secure, and welcoming home for you and your family.”
The Prime Minister, whose wife is Jewish, undoubtedly hopes his message will bring solace. However, as investigations into the assailant’s background and motives unfold in the coming days, the Manchester attack has the potential to further intensify the contentious global discourse surrounding the Middle East conflict and its far-reaching consequences.
Additional reporting by Megan Specia and Lizzie Dearden.