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Yom Kippur: Who was the Manchester synagogue attacker?

Yom Kippur: Who was the Manchester synagogue attacker?

Manchester synagogue attacker

A tragic attack unfolded in Manchester on Thursday morning when worshippers gathering for Yom Kippur were targeted outside a synagogue in Crumpsall. According to police, a car was deliberately driven into pedestrians before a stabbing took place near Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation.

Authorities confirmed that two members of the Jewish community and the suspected assailant lost their lives in the incident. Three additional victims remain in hospital in critical condition. Greater Manchester Police declared the assault a “major incident” within minutes, with armed officers responding swiftly and fatally shooting the attacker at the scene.



Counter-terrorism officials later confirmed they were treating the attack as a terrorist act. Police said they believe they know the identity of the suspect but have not yet released any names. Two people have been taken into custody in connection with the case.

Emergency crews arrived just after 9:30 a.m. local time to assist the wounded. The North West Ambulance Service reported that paramedics treated multiple casualties at the site before transferring the most seriously injured to nearby hospitals. Witnesses described chaotic scenes as worshippers fled or took shelter inside the synagogue while police cordoned off the area.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who cut short an engagement in Copenhagen to return to London, strongly condemned the assault. He called it “a vile act of terror” carried out on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. “This was an attack on the Jewish community, and an attack on Britain’s values,” Starmer said, while confirming that police presence at synagogues across the country had been strengthened.

The synagogue targeted in Crumpsall has been a cornerstone of Manchester’s Jewish community since the 1930s. Thursday’s attack occurred as many who do not regularly attend synagogue services had gathered for prayers marking Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.



Police Chief Constable Stephen Watson said the attacker was wearing what appeared to be a vest designed to resemble an explosive device, raising immediate fears of a larger coordinated assault. He stressed, however, that no further threats had been identified.

The Greater Manchester Police invoked “Operation Plato,” a protocol for handling marauding terrorist incidents, which temporarily kept many congregants sheltered inside the synagogue until the area was secured. By late afternoon, the police confirmed all worshippers had been safely evacuated.

The attack has shaken Manchester’s wider community, with local leaders and residents expressing grief and solidarity. Hamish Falconer, a Labour MP, said he was “horrified” by the assault at a synagogue he has previously visited, while urging unity against hate.

Britain has witnessed a marked rise in anti-Semitic incidents in recent years. Figures from the Community Security Trust recorded over 3,500 such incidents in 2024, the second-highest yearly figure on record. The organisation has also noted a spike in anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim abuse since the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza conflict in late 2023.

As police investigations continue, a casualty bureau has been set up for families seeking information about loved ones who may have been caught in the violence. Authorities are urging anyone with footage or first-hand accounts of the incident to come forward.

The attack on one of Manchester’s largest Orthodox congregations has left the city in mourning and has renewed debate over how to confront the rising tide of extremism and hate crimes in the UK.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What happened during the Manchester synagogue attack?
A car was driven into pedestrians near Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation in Crumpsall, followed by a stabbing. Police confirmed three deaths, including the attacker, and several others injured.

Q2: How many people were killed in the Manchester synagogue attack?
According to Greater Manchester Police, two worshippers and the attacker died, while three others remain in critical condition.

Q3: Who was responsible for the Manchester synagogue attack?
Police shot and killed the suspected attacker but have not yet released his identity. Counter-terrorism authorities are treating the incident as terrorism.

Q4: How did the UK government respond to the Manchester synagogue attack?
Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the assault, calling it a “vile act of terror,” and ordered additional police deployments to synagogues across the country.

Q5: Why was Yom Kippur significant in this attack?
The attack occurred on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, when many worshippers attend synagogue, making the assault particularly devastating.

Q6: Has anti-Semitism been rising in the UK?
Yes. Community Security Trust reported over 3,500 anti-Semitic incidents in 2024, the second-highest on record, with concerns about continued spikes amid global conflicts.



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