Terrorist Attack on Manchester Synagogue on Yom Kippur Leaves 2 Dead, 3 in Critical Condition

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A deadly attack occurred at a synagogue in Manchester on Yom Kippur on Thursday, resulting in at least two fatalities and several injuries.

“Police were called to the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, on Middleton Road, Crumpsall, at 9.31 a.m. GMT by a member of the public, stating he had witnessed a car being driven towards members of the public and one man had been stabbed,” Greater Manchester Police said in a statement. 

The statement added: “Shots were fired by Greater Manchester Police firearms officers at 9.38 a.m. One man has been shot, believed to be the offender."

The suspected attacker, 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie, was described as wearing an explosive vest that appeared to contain an explosive device, and he was shot dead by police, The Christian Post reported. At least two people were killed, and three more members were left in critical condition.

A number of Christian leaders expressed their shock and emphasized solidarity with the Jewish community following the attack. 

"My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected — the victims, their families and the wider Jewish community — especially on this sacred day of Yom Kippur," The Bishop of Manchester, David Walker said. 

“Such acts of violence have no place in our communities. Manchester is a city built on diversity, mutual respect and unity.”

"As we showed after the horrific terrorist attack of 2017, the way we defy those who seek to sow seeds of hatred in our community is to draw closer to one another in love. Hate can never defeat hate; only love can conquer hate.”

 

Bishop of London, Dame Sarah Mullally, called the attack “devastating” and argued that an "attack on a place of worship is an attack on all people of faith."

"My prayers are with all those affected by the devastating attack on a synagogue in Manchester today, especially on this holy day of Yom Kippur," she said. 

The Council of Christians and Jews also commented on the attack, describing it as "horrifying."

"Today and every day, we stand side-by-side with the Jewish community against all forms of antisemitism.”

"Our thoughts are with all affected: the victims first and foremost, the Jewish community in Manchester in particular and around the U.K., and all who responded quickly and bravely," it said. 

The attack comes at a time when many Jews in the U.K. are living in fear due to the increase in antisemitism since Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages / Christopher Furlong / Staff

Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for CrosswalkHeadlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.