On Thursday, worshippers at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester experienced one of the darkest moments in recent memory when a violent attack shattered the sanctity of Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. What should have been a day of prayer, reflection, and community turned into chaos and tragedy as a man drove into pedestrians, stabbed a security guard, and attempted to force his way into the synagogue before being shot dead by police.
According to Greater Manchester Police (GMP), the attacker was wearing what appeared to be a vest containing explosives, prompting an immediate armed response. Officers rushed to the scene in the Crumpsall district of northern Manchester and confronted the suspect before he could inflict even greater devastation. While their swift actions prevented more lives from being lost, the assault still claimed two lives and left three others in serious condition.
Scenes of Horror at the Synagogue
A video circulating on social media and verified by Reuters captured the moment officers engaged the suspect. Within the synagogue’s perimeter, the attacker lay on the ground after being shot, while another man was seen lying in a pool of blood, wearing a traditional Jewish head covering. The footage highlighted the sheer terror that engulfed worshippers on a day that holds profound spiritual significance for Jews around the world.
Eyewitnesses described harrowing moments. “He has a bomb, go away!” one armed officer shouted at bystanders, just seconds before gunfire erupted. Local resident Angela Crawshaw recalled what she saw: “Then they did shoot, and he fell to the floor. Then he tried getting up again and moving again, and they shot him again. And then it was just panic … just noise and panic.”
A bomb disposal unit was deployed as a precaution. Three controlled explosions were later heard in the area, with police confirming one loud bang was caused by specialist officers gaining entry to the suspect’s vehicle to ensure public safety.
Declared a Terrorist Incident
Britain’s most senior counter-terrorism officer, Laurence Taylor, confirmed that the assault was being treated as a terrorist incident. “Communities across the UK who would normally be marking this holy day are now grieving, and worried about their safety,” Taylor said. “I want to be clear: UK policing is mobilising. And mobilising fast.”
Authorities stated they believe they know the identity of the attacker, though official confirmation has yet to be released. Two additional suspects were arrested in connection with the attack as investigations continue.
The gravity of the incident was underscored by the immediate response of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who cut short his attendance at a European political gathering in Copenhagen to chair an emergency meeting in London. Starmer pledged heightened protection for Jewish communities across the country, announcing that more police officers would be deployed to synagogues. “We will do everything to keep our Jewish community safe,” he said. “The fact that this has taken place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes it all the more horrific.”
Bravery Amid Chaos
In the aftermath of the violence, GMP Chief Constable Stephen Watson praised the courage shown by both worshippers and security personnel. “There were a large number of worshippers attending the synagogue at the time of this attack, but thanks to the immediate bravery of security staff and the worshippers inside, as well as the fast response of police, the attacker was prevented from gaining access,” Watson said.
That swift response likely prevented a massacre. Witnesses described how, after crashing his car into the synagogue gates, the suspect leapt out and began stabbing indiscriminately. Neighbor Chava Lewin told British media, “The second he got out of the car he started stabbing anyone near him. He went for the security guard and tried to break into the synagogue.”
Police swiftly ushered around 30 people away from the building, including elderly men dressed in white robes, children, and men in suits and skullcaps. Many were in tears, visibly shaken by the trauma.
Reactions of Shock and Solidarity
The atrocity has drawn widespread condemnation. King Charles issued a statement expressing that he was “deeply shocked and saddened.” The Israeli embassy in London described the attack as “abhorrent and deeply distressing” while affirming its support for Manchester’s Jewish community.
International leaders also voiced solidarity. French President Emmanuel Macron stated on X that “France stood beside Britain’s Jewish community,” highlighting a broader concern about rising antisemitic attacks across Europe.
Antisemitism on the Rise
The attack comes amid a worrying surge in antisemitism across Britain and Europe. The Community Security Trust (CST), which works to safeguard Jewish organisations in the UK, reported earlier this year that 2024 marked the second-worst year in modern history for antisemitism in Britain, with over 3,500 incidents recorded. The figures reflect a sustained rise in hostility towards Jewish people, particularly since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza.
This increase mirrors global trends. France and Germany, too, have seen spikes in antisemitic violence and hate speech since the Gaza conflict reignited tensions. Such patterns leave Jewish communities feeling increasingly vulnerable, particularly during major religious gatherings.
A City Scarred by Terror
Manchester itself has endured the scars of terrorism before. In 2017, the city suffered one of the deadliest terror attacks in modern British history when a suicide bomber targeted concertgoers at an Ariana Grande performance, killing 22 people and injuring hundreds. Thursday’s attack has once again placed Manchester at the center of a national conversation