UK Synagogue Attack Sparks Nationwide Shock and Heightened Security

TDT | Manchester

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Six people remain in police custody following a deadly car-ramming and knife attack on a synagogue in northwest Manchester that left two people dead and three seriously injured during Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged the public to refrain from participating in pro-Palestinian demonstrations in the aftermath of the tragedy, as the nation grapples with renewed fears of extremist violence.

Police identified the assailant as Jihad Al-Shamie, a 35-year-old UK citizen of Syrian descent, who was fatally shot by officers within minutes of the incident at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue. Authorities confirmed that three men and three women were arrested on suspicion of terrorism-related offences connected to the attack.

The incident has sent shockwaves through Britain’s Jewish community, prompting increased police presence around synagogues and other places of worship across Manchester. Officers have been deployed in large numbers to reassure residents and maintain public safety.

“This was a deeply disturbing act targeting one of our most sacred spaces,” a Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said. “Our priority remains protecting all communities and ensuring no one feels unsafe practicing their faith.”

The synagogue attack is being described as one of the worst antisemitic incidents in Europe since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led assault on Israel, which claimed over 1,200 lives. Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of more than 66,000 Palestinians, according to figures from Gaza’s health ministry cited by the United Nations.

The ongoing conflict has intensified divisions in the UK, where large-scale pro-Palestinian rallies have become a frequent sight in major cities. Critics argue that some of these gatherings have risked fueling antisemitic sentiment.

On Thursday evening, a “Global Movement for Gaza UK” protest in London went ahead despite growing tensions, leading to 40 arrests. Police have since called on organisers to postpone another demonstration planned for Saturday in support of the banned Palestine Action group. However, organisers from Defend Our Juries have refused to comply, insisting the protests will continue.

As investigations unfold, Britain faces a moment of reckoning — balancing free expression with the urgent need to protect its diverse communities from the rising tide of hate-fueled violence.