Manchester synagogue attack kills two on Yom Kippur

A deadly attack took place at the Heaton Park Congregation Synagogue in Manchester, England, on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year. Two men, 53‑year‑old Adrian Daulby and 66‑year‑old Melvin Cravitz, were killed, and three others were hospitalized in serious condition. The assault began when a car rammed into pedestrians outside the synagogue, after which the driver launched a knife attack while wearing what appeared to be an explosives belt—later determined to be fake.

The suspect, 35‑year‑old Jihad Al‑Shamie, a British citizen of Syrian descent, was shot and killed by police seven minutes after the attack started. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said Al‑Shamie was not previously known to police or to Prevent, the national counter‑terrorism programme. The incident is being investigated as a terrorist attack.

The attack has been widely condemned. Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis described it as the result of “an unrelenting wave of Jew hatred.” Prime Minister Keir Starmer denounced the attacker and pledged to do everything possible to guarantee the security of the Jewish community. He promised that the UK would “come together to wrap our arms around your community and show you that Britain is a place where you and your family are safe, secure and belong.”

The incident has heightened concerns about rising antisemitic incidents in the UK, which have reached record levels following recent Middle‑East conflicts. The Community Security Trust reported more than 1,500 antisemitic incidents in the first half of the year. Rabbi Jonathan Romain called the attack “every rabbi’s or every Jewish person’s worst nightmare,” reflecting the fear within the community.

Police have arrested three people on suspicion of preparing or commissioning acts of terrorism as the investigation continues. The community is rallying in solidarity with the victims and their families, underscoring the need for increased security measures and broader support to protect vulnerable groups from hate crimes. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the importance of promoting tolerance and understanding to prevent future attacks.