At least three people were killed and several more wounded Thursday when a man reportedly rammed his vehicle into worshippers outside a Manchester synagogue before attacking others with a knife, an assault that police described as both brutal and chaotic.
The attack took place at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in the Crumpsall neighborhood on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. The timing and location of the violence have intensified concerns about the security of Jewish communities already facing a wave of hostility in Europe.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed late Thursday that two worshippers were dead and four others injured by a combination of stab wounds and injuries from the vehicle. The suspect himself was fatally shot by officers who responded to the unfolding assault.
“Paramedics arrived at the scene at 9.41 and are tending to members of the public, currently four members of the public with injuries caused by both the vehicle and stab wounds,” the police said in a statement on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. Authorities urged residents to stay away from the area while emergency crews worked.
A graphic video circulating online showed the suspect being surrounded by armed officers. In the footage, police can be heard shouting warnings to bystanders that the man had a bomb. “He has a bomb — go away!” one officer yelled, moments before the suspect, attempting to rise from the ground, was shot.
The video also showed one victim lying motionless in a pool of blood, underscoring the horror of what worshippers had endured during a day meant for solemn prayer and reflection.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the assault, calling it “appalling.” In a statement posted to X, 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. My thoughts are with the loved ones of all those affected, and my thanks go to the emergency.”
The swift police response likely prevented further bloodshed, but the attack has already raised troubling questions. It highlights not only the vulnerability of Jewish institutions but also the growing threat posed by individuals willing to carry out mass violence with little warning. For conservatives in Britain and abroad, the events in Manchester may strengthen calls for tougher policing and stronger measures to protect faith communities.
The assault comes at a time of rising antisemitism in the West, much of it tied to tensions over the war in the Middle East. While officials did not immediately identify the suspect or his motive, the symbolism of targeting a synagogue on Yom Kippur was clear.
For many, the violence in Manchester is another reminder that promises of security mean little without decisive action. As Prime Minister Starmer acknowledged, the sanctity of a Jewish holy day had been pierced by terror.
The families of the victims are now left to grieve, and Britain is left once again to confront the reality that religious freedom and public safety cannot be taken for granted.
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