Jihad al-Shamie, a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian origin, has been identified as the perpetrator of the attack on the Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester, while three people have been arrested, who are being investigated for "preparing terrorist acts". The attack drew widespread condemnation from across the political spectrum. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the attacker an "unacceptable person" who "attacked Jews because they are Jewish". And he noted that the attack was "an attack on Britain and its values". While today, the British government has pledged to step up its efforts to tackle anti-Semitism.
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"We believe that the person responsible for today's attacks is 35-year-old Jihad al-Shamie," police initially said, which was later confirmed.
The 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian origin reportedly worked as an English teacher and computer programmer, while it is currently unclear whether he arrived in the UK as an asylum seeker or if he came through another migration route, such as "family reunification", which allows foreigners to be reunited with relatives already in Britain.
The 35-year-old Jihad al-Shamie is unclear whether he arrived in the UK as an asylum seeker or if he came via another migration route
Jihad al-Shamie was shot and killed by armed police after his car ran over pedestrians and stabbed Jewish worshippers near the synagogue on the day of Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
Police also noted that three other suspects, two men aged about 30 and a woman in her 60s, have been arrested on charges of preparing and inciting terrorist acts.
Police shot and killed the suspect, who, armed with a knife, killed two people and seriously injured four more.
Using a car to enter the synagogue area, the man began to stab the faithful. He was stopped by the police who shot him twice. The explosive device he had on his vest turned out to be fake.
"We believe that the person responsible for today's attacks is 35-year-old Jihad al-Shamie," police initially said, noting that three other suspects, two men aged about 30 and a woman in her 60s, have been arrested on charges of preparing and inciting terrorist acts.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer
The attack drew widespread condemnation from across the political spectrum. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the attacker an "unacceptable person" who "attacked Jews because they are Jewish". And he noted that the attack was "an attack on Britain and its authorities".
The "heroes" who prevented the 35-year-old perpetrator Jihad Al Shami from entering the synagogue
A rabbi and British security guards were praised as "heroes" by British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for their brave actions at the time of yesterday's attack on the Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester by 35-year-old Jihad Al Shami, a British citizen of Syrian origin.
Greater Manchester Police Chief (GMP) Stephen Watson confirmed that worshippers and security personnel helped prevent the attacker from entering the synagogue before he was fatally shot by police.
Keir Starmer said there was no doubt that the synagogue's emergency services and security guards "prevented an even greater tragedy".
Two years after Hamas' attack on Israel
The incident in Manchester happened a few days before the second anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. Police said there would be increased security at synagogues and Jewish community centers in the coming days.
The Council of Representatives and the Jewish Leadership Council said in a statement on Thursday night that the attack was "unfortunately something we feared would come."
"We call on all those in positions of power and influence to take the necessary measures to combat hatred against the Jewish people, and we will work with the authorities on a series of additional measures to protect our community in the coming days," they added.
The British government pledged today, Friday (3/10), to step up its efforts to tackle anti-Semitism, as the country's Jewish community is in shock after the deadly attack on a synagogue in Manchester on the day of Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
The Israeli government has accused the UK of allowing anti-Semitism to spread in its cities and universities, in the wake of the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023 and the ongoing war conflict in Gaza.
On Friday morning, British police released the names of the two victims of the attack: Adrian Dolby (53 years old) and Melvin Kravitz (66 years old), both residents of the area.
The two men died on Thursday when an attacker ran over pedestrians in his car and then started stabbing them outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation in north Manchester.
The perpetrator was identified as Jihad al-Shamie, a 35-year-old British national of Syrian origin, who was shot dead by police on the spot.
Britain's Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmoud, said she understood the emotional tension surrounding the conflict in Gaza, but stressed that it should not turn into social tension on the country's streets.
"We will do whatever it takes to keep our Jewish community safe," he told Times Radio. "People will see an enhanced police presence in all community spaces – mainly in synagogues, but also in other Jewish facilities."
Anti-Semitism in Britain has soared to historic highs since the October 2023 attacks and the aftermath, with many Jewish leaders saying they are horrified by the continued and massive pro-Palestine protests, which they say are inciting hatred against Jews.
On Thursday, just hours after the attack, pro-Palestine marches took place in several British cities, while protesters clashed with police outside Downing Street, leading to 40 arrests.
The Home Secretary described these protests as "anti-British" and "disgraceful", calling on citizens to exercise restraint:
"I call on those who are thinking of protesting in the coming days to take a step back and show humanity and love for a community that is grieving," he said.
It is worth emphasizing that yesterday's attack on the Jewish synagogue took place on the day of Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, at the time - close to this great holiday of Judaism - the Hamas attack, on October 7, 2023, and the "Yom Kippur War", from October 6 to 26, 1973, by a coalition of Arab states, led by Egypt and Syria, against Israel.
