Manchester synagogue attack

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Manchester synagogue attack
The Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation, where the attack occurred, pictured in October 2015
Map
LocationHeaton Park Hebrew Congregation, Higher Crumpsall, Manchester, England
Coordinates53°31′12″N 2°14′55″W / 53.52000°N 2.24861°W / 53.52000; -2.24861
Date2 October 2025 (2025-10-02)
9:31 (BST (UTC+01:00))
Attack type
Weapons
  • Car
  • knife
Deaths3 (including the attacker)
Injured3
AssailantJihad al-Shami

The Manchester synagogue attack was a terrorist attack that occurred on 2 October 2025 during the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, when a man drove a car into pedestrians before stabbing worshippers at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation, a synagogue in Higher Crumpsall, a suburb of Manchester in the United Kingdom.

The attacker, Jihad al-Shami, was a 35-year-old naturalised British citizen who was born in Syria and lived in Prestwich. Three people were killed, including the offender who was shot dead by police; three others, including a security guard, were injured and treated in hospital. The incident was declared a terrorist attack later that day and three people were arrested.

Background

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Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, a day centred around atonement and repentance, with full fasting and asceticism accompanied by extended prayer services and the confession of sins.[1]

British Jews have raised concerns about increased vandalism at synagogues and antisemitic comments online and in person due to the ongoing war in Gaza. Jewish security groups, including Community Security Trust, issued warnings earlier in the summer for Jewish people to "be vigilant and follow the strict security measures that are in place at communal buildings, events and areas" such as locking all doors when not in use, conducting security sweeps, and avoiding congregating outside communal buildings.[2]

Incident

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Police were called to Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Crumpsall at 9:31 am BST on 2 October 2025, after callers reported that a driver had driven into pedestrians and begun stabbing people.[3] Greater Manchester Police officers quickly declared a major incident and arrived at the scene within seven minutes, shooting the attacker dead at 9:38 am. Residents local to the area reported seeing a man with a knife jump out of a moving car who had been driving recklessly and began stabbing people, others saw people on the ground bleeding.[4] Worshippers had gathered for a Yom Kippur service, which had begun at 9:00 am.[5] Eyewitnesses inside the synagogue praised Rabbi Daniel Walker for protecting congregants by locking them inside the synagogue and keeping the attacker out, before moving them to safety.[6]

Firearms officers were deployed at 9:34 am as police received further reports that a security guard had been attacked with a knife. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) declared a major incident shortly before shots were fired by firearms officers at 9:38 am, killing a man believed to be the offender.[7]

At 9:37 am GMP initiated Operation Plato, a protocol used in response to suspected terrorist attacks. The incident was formally declared a terrorist attack later that day.[8][9] Paramedics arrived at 9:41 am and treated four members of the public for injuries caused by both the vehicle and stab wounds.[5][10]

Around noon, a bomb disposal unit was deployed to the scene because police believed the attacker was wearing a suicide belt.[11][3] Police said that they were unable to confirm whether the attacker was dead until the investigation concluded.[8] Investigators would later state the device was "found to be not viable".[3] At 1:23 pm, a loud controlled explosion was reported,[12] which was later confirmed to be from the police gaining access to the attacker's car.[13] Police presence was increased at every synagogue in the Greater Manchester area in the immediate aftermath of the attack.[14][11]

Victims

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Three men were confirmed dead following the attack, including the male attacker, who was shot by police. The two victims, identified as 53-year old Adrian Daubly and 66-year-old Melvin Cravitz, were Jewish. According to police, Daubly was mistakenly shot by officers.[15] Both victims were believed to have been standing behind the synagogue doors, blocking entry. Police also said that three people were seriously injured and remain in hospital in a serious condition; one has a stab wound, one was hit by the car,[16] and the third was wounded accidentally by police gunfire.[15][16]

Attacker

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Al-Shamie in October 2024, with his child

The offender was identified as Jihad al-Shamie, a 35-year-old Syrian-born man who had immigrated to the United Kingdom with his family as a child and had naturalised as a British citizen in 2006 aged 16.[17]

At the time of the attack, al-Shamie resided in the Langley Crescent area of Prestwich, located two miles from the synagogue.[18][19] He was initially falsely reported to have been a part of the British counter-terrorism programme that tries to identify people at risk of being radicalised.[20] According to one of his neighbours, al-Shamie “didn’t stand out” and never spoke about politics.[21] Although al-Shamie was not known to counter-terror police, he had a criminal record with convictions for several minor offences, and at the time of his death was free on bail and under investigation for an alleged rape committed earlier that year.[22][23] It is also suspected that he was the author of a death threat sent to Conservative MP John Howell in 2012 after Howell expressed support for Israel.[23]

His father, Faraj, released a statement believed to have been made on behalf of the wider al-Shamie familiy.[24]

The news from Manchester regarding the terrorist attack targeting a Jewish synagogue has been a profound shock to us.

The al-Shamie family in the UK and abroad strongly condemns this heinous act, which targeted peaceful, innocent civilians. We fully distance ourselves from this attack and express our deep shock and sorrow over what has happened. Our hearts and thoughts are with the victims and their families, and we pray for their strength and comfort.

Investigation

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The national head of counter-terrorist policing announced the attack was being treated as a terrorist incident, and that three people other than the assailant have been arrested in two separate areas.[25] Two men in their thirties in Crumpsall and a woman in her sixties in Prestwich were arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism following the attack.[26] Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated at a press conference that the attacker targeted "Jews because they are Jews" and said that the United Kingdom must defeat this rising hatred.[27]

Investigators said they were "still trying to locate and examine all of the suspect's electronic devices, looking for clues as to what radicalised him" and are looking for "an Islamist motive but are looking for evidence to confirm or rebut that theory".[28]

Reactions

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Prime Minister Starmer returned from a European Political Community leaders' meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark, to chair a COBR emergency meeting.[9] He stated that "extra police assets" would be deployed to synagogues across the country due to the attack.[8] The Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood echoed this, saying the government "will do whatever is required to keep our Jewish community safe."[28] Mayor of London Sadiq Khan likewise announced there would be a "stepping up (of) patrols in Jewish communities and synagogues across London" by the Metropolitan Police.[11] Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham commended the quick response of the Greater Manchester Police and raised concerns about the fear and sadness caused by the attack, saying that the city would not allow "division in our communities".[28][29]

The King said he and the Queen are "deeply shocked and saddened" and that their "thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this appalling incident".[30] The Prince and Princess of Wales also praised the swift actions of emergency services.[31]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed sympathy, saying "Israel grieves with the Jewish community in the UK after the barbaric terror attack in Manchester", adding "as I warned at the UN: weakness in the face of terrorism only brings more terrorism. Only strength and unity can defeat it."[32][28] Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar accused the British authorities of not doing enough to curb rising antisemitism in Britain, stating that "blatant and rampant antisemitic and anti-Israeli incitement" had become common.[33]

British Christian and Muslim community leaders condemned the attack and offered prayers and support to the Jewish people in the UK.[29] Amnesty International UK expressed sadness over the events, calling it a "horrific act of violence that has taken the lives of two innocent people and injured many more".[34] Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood urged the cancellation of pro-Palestinian marches after the terror attack, backing police calls to halt a major protest planned for Saturday in Trafalgar Square. Hours after the attack, clashes broke out between demonstrators and police outside Downing Street, while Mahmood separately denounced such protests as "un-British," "dishonourable," and "insensitive" to Jewish communities.[35]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Yoma 85b". Archived from the original on 17 May 2023. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  2. ^ Burgess, Kaya (2 October 2025). "British Jews feared an attack like Manchester was coming". The Times. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  3. ^ a b c Shear, Michael D. "Two Killed in Terrorist Attack on Manchester Synagogue on Yom Kippur". The New York Times.
  4. ^ Davies, Maia (2 October 2025). "Manchester synagogue attack: What we know so far". BBC News. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  5. ^ a b Sinmaz, Emine (2 October 2025). "Police shoot suspect after stabbing at synagogue in Manchester". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  6. ^ "Manchester rabbi hailed as hero for barricading synagogue door amid deadly terror attack". The Times of Israel. 2 October 2025. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  7. ^ Sutherland, Callum (2 October 2025). "'Horrific' Attack at U.K. Synagogue Leaves Two Victims Dead and Others Injured". TIME. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  8. ^ a b c "Manchester synagogue: Two dead in Manchester synagogue attack, with suspect also believed to be killed – police". BBC News. 2 October 2025. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  9. ^ a b "Synagogue stabbing latest: Police at scene of reported attack in Manchester". Sky News. 2 October 2025. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  10. ^ "Major incident declared following incident on Middleton Road". Greater Manchester Police. 2 October 2025. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  11. ^ a b c Montgomery, Samuel; Sigsworth, Tim (2 October 2025). "Manchester synagogue attack live: Two dead after 'terror' stabbing". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  12. ^ "Manchester synagogue attack: Live updates". BBC News. 2 October 2025. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  13. ^ "Police confirm source of 'loud bang' heard at Manchester synagogue terror attack scene". Manchester Evening News. 2 October 2025. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  14. ^ "Update in relation to ongoing major incident on Middleton Road in Crumpsall". Greater Manchester Police. 2 October 2025. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  15. ^ a b "Victim killed in Manchester synagogue attack was shot by police". Financial Times. 3 October 2025. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
  16. ^ a b "Manchester synagogue attack: Family of victim say he was 'hero' who 'lost his life in act of courage'". BBC News. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
  17. ^ "Manchester synagogue attack: Suspect named as police make three arrests". Sky News. 3 October 2025.
  18. ^ "Police name Manchester attacker who killed two at synagogue". BBC News. 3 October 2025.
  19. ^ "Who Is Jihad Al-Shamie? Manchester Synagogue Attacker Identified". Newsweek. 3 October 2025.
  20. ^ "Manchester synagogue attack: British citizen of Syrian descent behind stabbing incident 10 points". Hindustan Times. 2 October 2025. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  21. ^ "Neighbour of Manchester attacker says Jihad al Shamie 'did not stand out'". Sky News. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
  22. ^ Halliday, Josh; Mason, Rowena; Dodd, Vikram (3 October 2025). "Manchester synagogue terrorist was on bail for alleged rape". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
  23. ^ a b Luck, Flaminia (3 October 2025). "Manchester synagogue attacker was on bail for alleged rape". LBC. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
  24. ^ Halliday, Josh; Al-Othman, Hannah; Boffey, Daniel (3 October 2025). "Father of Manchester synagogue attacker condemns 'heinous act'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
  25. ^ "Manchester synagogue attack: Two killed and suspect shot dead on Yom Kippur". Sky News. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  26. ^ "Armed police storm street 'where Manchester synagogue attacker Jihad Al-Shamie lived' as neighbour says he saw car used in attack there days ago". Manchester Evening News. 3 October 2025. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
  27. ^ Stockwell, Billy (2 October 2025). "Starmer says Manchester synagogue attacker targeted Jews "because they are Jews"". CNN. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  28. ^ a b c d McEwen, Kirsty; Lawther, Fran; Campbell, Lucy; Davies, Caroline; Ambrose, Tom (2 October 2025). "Synagogue attacker who killed two was a 'terrorist targeting Jews because they are Jews', says Starmer – latest updates". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  29. ^ a b Frayer, Lauren (2 October 2025). "U.K. police label Manchester's deadly synagogue attack as a 'terrorist incident'". NPR. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  30. ^ "A message from The King following the attack in Manchester". www.royal.uk. 2 October 2025. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
  31. ^ Kensington Palace (2 October 2025). "Our thoughts are with the victims and the families of the terrible attack at Heaton Park Synagogue…". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  32. ^ Berman, Lazar (2 October 2025). "Netanyahu seems to swipe at Starmer over Manchester attack: 'Weakness in the face of terror only brings more terror'". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  33. ^ Hallam, Mark (2 October 2025). "Manchester: 2 killed in synagogue car, knife attack". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  34. ^ "Amnesty International UK response to the attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue". Amnesty International. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  35. ^ Hymas, Charles; Holl-Allen, Genevieve (3 October 2025). "Cancel pro-Palestine marches, Home Secretary demands". The Telegraph.