Two murdered, more wounded in Manchester synagogue attack on Yom Kippur - Mathilda Heller

 

by Mathilda Heller

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was "appalled" by the attack on Jewish worshippers during Yom Kippur, as UK security forces investigated the incident as a terror attack.

 

People gather near the scene, after an attack in which a car was driven at pedestrians and stabbings were reported near a synagogue in north Manchester, Britain, October 2, 2025

(photo credit: REUTERS/PHIL NOBLE)

 

Two people were murdered after a man carried out a ramming and stabbing terror attack outside an Orthodox synagogue in Manchester on the morning of Yom Kippur on Thursday. The identities of the victims have not yet been confirmed.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were called to Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, on Middleton Road, Crumpsall, at 9.31am by a member of the public, who said he had witnessed a car being driven towards members of the public, and then exiting the car and stabbing people.

GMP declared Operation PLATO (the response to Marauding Terror Attacks) and a major incident at 9.37am. Shots were fired by Greater Manchester Police firearms officers at 9.38am, and a man believed to be the attacker was shot.

Paramedics arrived at the scene at 9.41am and began tending to members of the public, including four members of the public with injuries caused by both the vehicle ramming and stab wounds. Counterterrorism police and MI5 subsequently joined the investigation.

After midday, Greater Manchester Police announced that two people had been killed outside the synagogue, as well as the attacker himself. GMP also said that suspicious items had been found on the attacker's body, so the bomb disposal unit had been called and was at the scene.

Photos soon circulated on social media of the attacker wearing what appeared to be a belt with explosives on. Police carried out a loud controlled explosion at around 1:30 p.m. British standard time.

People gather near the scene, after an attack in which a car was driven at pedestrians and stabbings were reported near a synagogue in north Manchester, Britain, October 2, 2025 (credit: REUTERS/PHIL NOBLE)

According to GMP, a large number of people were worshipping at the synagogue at the time of the incident. The congregation was held inside while the immediate area was made safe but have since been evacuated.

Members of the Jewish community security trust were manning the police cordon.

A Jewish man, whose wife and daughter were inside the synagogue, told local reporters "It is the holiest day of the year and we get this."

"There is no place for Jews in Britain anymore. It’s over."

Local Jewish woman Chava Lewin told the Manchester Evening News: "I was outside and heard a banging sound and I thought it might be a firework. My husband went outside and then ran back inside and said, ‘there’s been a terrorist attack."

"I spoke to someone who said she was driving and saw a car driving erratically and it crashed into the gates [of the synagogue]."

"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. He was in the courtyard."

According to the city's mayor, the Jewish security guard outside the synagogue prevented the attacker from entering the building, and was stabbed in the process.

Police, mayor respond to 'vile attack' as Starmer deploys police to synagogues across UK

“We know today’s horrifying attack, on the Jewish community’s holiest day, will have caused significant shock and fear throughout all of our communities," said a Greater Manchester Police spokesperson.

“We are grateful to the members of the public whose quick response to what they witnessed allowed our swift action, and as a result the offender was prevented from entering the synagogue."

“We remain in direct contact with all synagogues across Greater Manchester to provide reassurance and this will continue for as long as needed.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, condemned the "vile attack on our Jewish community on its holiest day. We stand with GM’s Jewish community at this time and will work through the day to support them," he added.

In another statement, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was "appalled" by the attack on Jewish worshippers during Yom Kippur.

"I’m appalled by the attack at a synagogue in Crumpsall," he wrote on X. "The fact that this has taken place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes it all the more horrific.

"My thoughts are with the loved ones of all those affected, and my thanks go to the emergency services and all the first responders."

I’m appalled by the attack at a synagogue in Crumpsall.

The fact that this has taken place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes it all the more horrific.

My thoughts are with the loved ones of all those affected, and my thanks go to the emergency…

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) October 2, 2025

Starmer also said police were being deployed to synagogues across the country. "I'm already able to say that additional police assets are being deployed to synagogues across the country, and we will do everything to keep our Jewish community safe," Starmer said on Thursday, as he left a European political meeting in Copenhagen early to deal with the incident.

Jewish schools and synagogues across the country have been provided with additional security. The UK's terrorism threat level is said to also be under review following the attack.

Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.

Mathilda Heller

Source: https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-869251

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