In a devastating incident that shook Manchester, England, two individuals lost their lives outside a synagogue on Thursday morning. The attack, which involved both a vehicle ramming and a stabbing, occurred on Yom Kippur, considered the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Police confirmed that several others were injured, with three reported to be in serious condition, and the assailant was shot and killed by officers at the scene. Four people in total suffered injuries from the vehicle and stab wounds.
Authorities quickly called in a bomb squad due to “suspicious items on his person” found on the attacker. This tragic event unfolded in an area of Manchester densely populated by Orthodox Jews, intensifying fears within the community already heightened by ongoing tensions related to the two-year conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
At the time of the attack, a large congregation was inside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue for morning prayers, which had begun at 9 a.m., shortly before police received the first report at 9:31 a.m. Worshippers were initially held inside for safety before being evacuated once the immediate area was secured.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his profound shock and condemnation, highlighting the additional horror of the attack taking place on Yom Kippur. Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham praised the rapid police response, noting the suspect was neutralized within seven minutes of the initial reports. Burnham also acknowledged the “rising incidents of antisemitism” and the heightened state of anxiety experienced by the Jewish community.
The police have confirmed the suspect did not manage to enter the synagogue and are still investigating whether he carried an explosive device. Here are some key details and developments:
- Witness Footage: Eyewitness video, verified by The New York Times, captured armed police officers confronting the suspected attacker on the ground outside the synagogue. An officer was heard warning bystanders about a potential bomb, and a shot was fired as the suspect attempted to rise, causing him to fall back down. Martin Hamer, a Manchester resident, saw the attacker trying to enter through a window before police arrived.
- Heightened Security: Following the attack, security measures were swiftly increased at Jewish institutions across Britain, including a notable police presence at JW3, one of London’s largest Jewish community centers. London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced that the Metropolitan Police would boost visible patrols around synagogues in the capital. Emily Spurrell, Chair of Britain’s Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, confirmed additional resources were being deployed nationwide to reassure Jewish communities. The Community Security Trust advised synagogues to keep doors closed and avoid outdoor gatherings.
- Widespread Condemnation: The attack drew immediate condemnation from across the British political spectrum. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood expressed her horror, while Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch branded it a “vile and disgusting attack.” King Charles III also conveyed his deep sadness and shock. Israel’s Embassy in the U.K. condemned the “abhorrent and deeply distressing” act.
- Government Response: Prime Minister Keir Starmer cut short his attendance at a European leaders’ conference in Copenhagen to return to London. He is scheduled to chair a meeting of COBRA (Cabinet Office Briefing Room A), the government committee responsible for national emergencies. He pledged that “additional police assets” would be sent to synagogues, assuring, “We will do everything to keep our Jewish community safe.”
- Jewish Population: Manchester is home to approximately 30,000 Jewish residents, making it the largest Jewish community outside London in the United Kingdom. The Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation is located in Crumpsall, north of central Manchester.
Understanding Terrorism: U.K. Police Protocol
British authorities have yet to officially classify the vehicle ramming and stabbing incident at the Manchester synagogue as a terrorist act. However, the Greater Manchester Police’s initial statement indicated they “declared Plato” shortly after arriving at the scene around 9:30 a.m. Operation Plato outlines protocols for armed police and emergency services responding to major incidents, including potential terrorist attacks.
It’s standard procedure for counter-terrorism police to be involved in the immediate aftermath of mass violence in Britain, even when the target or motive remains unclear. The formal declaration of a terror attack rests with Britain’s Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, who assesses available information against the legal definition of terrorism – violence aimed at advancing a “political, religious, racial or ideological cause.”
Such decisions are complex, requiring careful analysis of witness testimonies, data from a suspect’s devices, and their personal history to determine if an ideological motive or other factors drove the attack.
Manchester’s History with Terror Attacks
Manchester, the site of Thursday morning’s synagogue attack, has a somber history of terror, including one of Britain’s deadliest incidents. In May 2017, a suicide bomber linked to Islamic State detonated an explosive device amidst fans leaving an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena. This horrific act claimed 22 lives, including several children, and left hundreds injured. The bomber, Salman Abedi, 22, orchestrated the attack with his younger brother, Hashem Abedi, who is now serving a life sentence.
As of now, authorities have not yet confirmed if the recent synagogue attack will be formally designated as a terror incident.
Another significant attack in Manchester occurred on December 31, 2018, when a stabbing near Manchester Arena, inside Victoria railway station, was later declared a terror attack by police. In that incident, Dutch citizen Mahdi Mohamud injured two New Year’s Eve revelers and a police officer, shouting “This is for Allah” and “Long live the caliphate.” He was arrested and later committed to a high-security psychiatric hospital, as his injuries were non-fatal.
Since the beginning of 2017, Britain has seen 19 violent attacks officially classified as terrorism by police or judges. Of these, 11 were motivated by jihadist ideology, five by right-wing extremism, and one by left-wing extremism, with the motive remaining unclear in two cases.