Latest Developments in the Manchester Synagogue Attack
A horrific act of terrorism unfolded outside a synagogue in Manchester, northwest England, on Thursday, claiming two lives and leaving three others in serious condition. British counterterrorism police confirmed the incident, which involved a vehicle ramming and stabbing, occurred on the morning of Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
Laurence Taylor, head of counterterrorism policing in the U.K., stated that authorities believe they know the attacker’s identity, though formal confirmation is pending. He emphasized that U.K. policing is mobilizing rapidly, increasing patrols at synagogues and Jewish sites nationwide to reassure affected communities.
Taylor also confirmed that the attacker was shot and killed by police. Due to suspicious items found on the individual, a bomb squad was dispatched to the scene. Two people have been arrested in connection with the assault.
The attack took place in a predominantly Orthodox Jewish area of Manchester, intensifying fears within the community already heightened by ongoing tensions surrounding the two-year-old conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
According to Manchester police, a significant number of congregants were at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue for morning prayers, which began at 9 a.m. – just over half an hour before the first reports of the attack. Worshippers were initially kept inside for safety and have since been evacuated. Police have not confirmed if the suspect carried a bomb, but confirmed he did not gain access to the synagogue.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his shock and condemnation, highlighting the additional horror of the attack occurring on Yom Kippur. Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham praised the swift police response, noting the suspect was shot within seven minutes of the initial reports. Burnham also acknowledged the rising antisemitism and anxiety within the Jewish community.
Further Details:
- Video footage: Witness footage, verified by The New York Times, captured armed police aiming at the suspected attacker on the ground outside the synagogue. An officer was heard warning people to retreat, shouting, “He has a bomb, go away.” The suspect reportedly attempted to rise before police fired at least one shot, causing him to fall back.
- Security: Security was swiftly beefed up at other Jewish community centers across Britain, including JW3 in North London, where a noticeable police presence was observed. London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced that the Metropolitan Police would increase high-visibility policing around London synagogues.
- Reactions: The attack drew widespread condemnation across the British political spectrum. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood expressed her horror, while Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch labeled it a “vile and disgusting attack.”
- Prime Minister’s Response: 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), a government committee handling national emergencies, this afternoon.
- Jewish community in Manchester: Manchester is home to approximately 30,000 Jewish people, making it the largest Jewish population in the United Kingdom outside of London. The Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation is situated in Crumpsall, north of Manchester city center.
U.K. Authorities Declare Attack as Terrorism
Laurence Taylor formally declared the incident an act of terrorism. Speaking from outside the Metropolitan Police headquarters in London, Taylor reiterated that while the attacker’s identity is believed to be known, it has not yet been formally confirmed. Two arrests have been made in connection with the attack.
Prime Minister Starmer Returns to London
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has returned to Downing Street from Copenhagen, where he was attending a conference of European leaders. He will chair a government committee meeting this afternoon to address national emergencies.
How U.K. Police Classify Terrorism
British authorities initially responded to the Manchester synagogue incident under “Operation Plato,” a set of protocols for armed police and emergency services dealing with major incidents, including terrorist attacks. The formal declaration of terrorism in Britain is made by a high-ranking police officer, the senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing. This decision hinges on whether the violence aligns with Britain’s legal definition of terrorism, which involves acts committed to advance a political, religious, racial, or ideological cause. Investigators meticulously analyze evidence, including witness statements, digital device content, and the suspect’s background, to establish any ideological motive.
Manchester’s History with Terror Attacks
The city of Manchester has previously been targeted by deadly terror attacks. In May 2017, a suicide bomber linked to Islamic State killed 22 people, including several children, and injured hundreds more at the Manchester Arena during an Ariana Grande concert. Another incident occurred on December 31, 2018, when a stabbing near Manchester Arena, inside Victoria railway station, was also declared a terror attack. Since 2017, a total of 19 violent attacks in Britain have been classified as terrorism, with jihadist, right-wing, and left-wing motives identified, alongside some unclear cases.
Additional Information on the Attack
Police confirmed the attacker died after being shot by armed officers. A ‘loud noise’ heard at the scene was later clarified as officers forcibly entering the suspect’s vehicle as a precaution.
The Community Security Trust, a British charity dedicated to combating antisemitism and enhancing security for Jewish institutions, advised the public to avoid congregating outside synagogues and to keep doors closed following the attack.
A Manchester resident, Martin Hamer, recounted witnessing the suspected attacker trying to force entry into the synagogue through a window just before police arrived. He described seeing a deceased person and another critically injured individual near a car, followed by the police’s arrival and the shooting of the suspect.
Emily Spurrell, chair of Britain’s Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, announced that police forces nationwide are deploying additional resources to synagogues to reassure Jewish communities.
London’s security posture has also been heightened. Outside JW3, one of the capital’s largest Jewish community centers, a visible police presence was established. Mayor Sadiq Khan confirmed that the Metropolitan Police would increase high-visibility patrols around London’s synagogues.
Israel’s Embassy in the U.K. condemned the attack, thanking Greater Manchester Police for their prompt response and expressing deep sadness that such violence occurred on Yom Kippur, the holiest day for the Jewish community.
Police confirmed the attacker was prevented from entering the synagogue thanks to a witness’s quick call to law enforcement.
King Charles III and his wife expressed their profound sadness and shock at the horrific attack, particularly its timing on such a significant day for the Jewish community.
A bomb disposal unit was sent to the scene, and a large number of worshippers at the synagogue were kept safely inside during the incident before being evacuated.
The Greater Manchester Police initially reported that two people had died in the attack outside the synagogue.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer affirmed that additional police resources are being deployed to synagogues across the country, pledging that authorities “will do everything to keep our Jewish community safe.”
Morning prayers at the synagogue, known as Shacharis, commenced at 9 a.m., just over half an hour before police received the first report of the attack at 9:31 a.m.
Initial reports from Greater Manchester Police indicated that they were called at 9:31 a.m. by a member of the public witnessing a car being driven towards people, and one man being stabbed. Armed police responded, shooting the suspect at 9:38 a.m.
Four individuals sustained injuries, including those caused by the vehicle and stab wounds.