Manchester attacker named; Starmer: Suspect 'attacked Jews as a result of they're Jews'

[ad_1] British police named the suspect in a lethal assault at a Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur, as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the assault and vowed to “defeat” antisemitism in his nation.

The stabbing and car-ramming assault outdoors Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue killed two folks and severely injured 4, whereas the attacker was shot useless by police on the scene. The attacker was named as Jihad al-Shamie, a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent.

Starmer and his Jewish spouse, Victoria, visited a London synagogue after the assault. In a brief tackle on Thursday, Starmer condemned antisemitism and pledged a fiercer battle in opposition to it, together with by growing police safety at synagogues.

“Earlier at this time, on Yom Kippur, the holiest day for the Jewish group, a vile particular person dedicated a terrorist assault that attacked Jews as a result of they're Jews, and attacked Britain due to our values,” Starmer stated.

He added, “Whereas this isn't a brand new hate, that is one thing Jews have at all times lived with. We should be clear: It's a hatred that's rising as soon as once more, and Britain should defeat it as soon as once more.”

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By signing up, you conform to the terms This was a vile terrorist assault that attacked Jews, as a result of they're Jews.

Antisemitism is a hatred that's rising, as soon as once more. Britain should defeat it, as soon as once more.

To each Jewish particular person on this nation: I promise that I'll do all the things in my energy to ensure you the… pic.twitter.com/DAd9OaGNMc

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) October 2, 2025

Later Thursday, authorities reportedly allowed an anti-Israel protest to go forward in the identical metropolis of Manchester, with footage exhibiting lots of of far-left activists strolling via the streets, chanting slogans in opposition to the Jewish state and in solidarity with the Gaza assist flotilla after it was intercepted by the navy earlier than reaching the Strip earlier that day.

Manchester Emergency Professional Palestine Flotilla protest, involves a finish at St Peters Sq. after marching from Piccadilly Prepare Station – England pic.twitter.com/ShDdJ9Zre9

— Tke Media (@TkeMedia) October 2, 2025

Within the assault, al-Shamie is suspected of ramming his automotive right into a crowd of individuals outdoors the synagogue after which embarking on a stabbing spree. He gave the impression to be sporting an explosive gadget however police later stated it was “not viable.”

An preliminary test of information confirmed he was not a part of a UK counter-terror program that tries to establish folks in danger for being radicalized. The police added that three suspects — two males of their 30s and a lady in her 60s — are at present in custody and “have been arrested on suspicion of fee, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism.”

A worshipper on the synagogue recounted being inside for Yom Kippur companies when the assault occurred, noting that the synagogue had already taken safety precautions.

“We’d already made positive that the doorways and home windows had been shut,” Rob Kanter told the Guardian , including that after they heard gunshots, police entered the synagogue to escort the congregation to security.

Based on Kanter, his first response upon listening to the pictures was “How are we going to maintain ourselves and everybody else secure?” Regardless of initially feeling “bewildered” as they heard the assault outdoors, he stated the ambiance contained in the synagogue was “really comparatively calm.”

“I'd say the temper amongst our fellow congregants was very calm, and everybody offers with these items in their very own method,” Kanter added. “Some folks get via this in a really quiet method, others like to speak, some folks even attempt to use a component of humor simply to maintain themselves going.”

???????? PICTURED: Keir Starmer attends a north London synagogue along with his spouse, Rachel Reeves and Yvette Cooper pic.twitter.com/ChSSzEelmb

— Politics UK (@PolitlcsUK) October 2, 2025

He additionally stated the rabbi tried to proceed the service after worshippers had been led away from the synagogue by police, “as a result of on the finish of the day, as a result of it’s awkward, and it’s tough, folks have gotten a large number of feelings occurring, however we carried on, and didn't [perform] the entire service, however we did what we may within the circumstances.”

Israeli leaders additionally condemned the assault, whereas taking implicit and specific swipes on the UK authorities. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s assertion referenced his current speech on the United Nations, the place he castigated a string of nations, together with the UK, which have acknowledged a Palestinian state.

“Our hearts are with the households of the murdered, and we pray for the swift restoration of the wounded,” he posted on X. “As I warned on the UN: weak point within the face of terrorism solely brings extra terrorism. Solely power and unity can defeat it.”

Overseas Minister Gideon Sa’ar stated Israel “expects greater than phrases from the Starmer authorities.”

“The reality should be instructed: blatant and rampant antisemitic and anti-Israeli incitement, in addition to calls of assist for terror, have just lately change into a widespread phenomenon within the streets of London, in cities throughout Britain, and on its campuses,” Sa’ar wrote in a submit on X. “The authorities in Britain have didn't take the required motion to curb this poisonous wave of antisemitism and have successfully allowed it to persist.”

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, thought of a chief rival to Netanyahu in elections slated for subsequent yr, additionally took intention at Starmer’s choice to acknowledge a Palestinian state.

“When antisemitism is surging to ranges not seen because the Holocaust, for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer it was as an alternative pressing to acknowledge ‘a Palestinian state’ as an alternative of specializing in his fundamental responsibility to defend Jewish residents of Britain,” Bennett stated in an announcement.

Members of the Jewish group consolation one another close to the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue, in Crumpsall, Manchester, England, Oct. 2, 2025. (Peter Byrne/PA by way of AP)

Additionally on Thursday, the Manchester Council of Mosques released a statement mourning the taking pictures. It additionally referred to as on folks to “keep away from hypothesis.”

“The Manchester Council of Mosques is shocked and saddened to listen to of at this time’s stabbing outdoors a synagogue in Manchester,” the assertion stated. “Our ideas and prayers are with the victims, their households, and the Jewish group at this distressing time.”

It added, “Manchester has at all times been a metropolis the place folks of all faiths and backgrounds reside facet by facet. Any try and divide us via violence or hatred will fail — we stay united in our dedication to peace and mutual respect.”

Palestinian Ambassador to the UK Husam Zomlot additionally condemned the “heinous” assault, tweeting, “Nobody ought to ever really feel unsafe of their dwelling or at their place of worship.”

“My deepest condolences go to the victims and households of at this time’s heinous assault in Manchester,” Zomlot wrote.

“Violence in opposition to civilians should be condemned with out hesitation or exception. We stand agency in upholding the rule of regulation in every single place, rejecting dehumanization, and affirming the equal humanity of all,” the Palestinian envoy provides.