…as greater Manchester Police swiftly declared a “major incident” and activated a national counterterrorism response.
MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM – The iNews Times | Tragedy struck the heart of the Jewish community in Manchester on Thursday morning, when a man launched a deadly car-and-knife attack outside a packed synagogue during Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
Two people were confirmed dead and three others seriously injured after the assailant drove a vehicle into worshippers gathered at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in the Crumpsall area. The attacker, who also stabbed a security guard, was later shot dead by armed police responding to the scene.
Greater Manchester Police swiftly declared a “major incident” at approximately 9:30 a.m. local time and activated a national counterterrorism response. A bomb disposal unit was also deployed after authorities discovered “suspicious items” on the attacker’s body.
“We believe the suspect is deceased, but due to materials found on his person, we are proceeding with extreme caution,” a senior police officer told reporters.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who was attending a European political summit in Denmark, abruptly returned to London to chair an emergency COBRA meeting. In a strongly worded statement, he described the attack as “horrific.”
“It is appalling that this violence occurred on Yom Kippur, a sacred day of reflection and peace,” Starmer said. “I want to assure the Jewish community that we will do everything necessary to keep them safe.”
King Charles III and Queen Camilla also expressed their sorrow. “We are deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the horrific attack in Manchester, especially on such a significant day for the Jewish community,” the royal couple said in a statement.
Israel’s Embassy in London condemned the incident as “abhorrent and deeply distressing,” adding, “The safety and security of Jewish communities in the United Kingdom must be guaranteed.”
❝He Ignored the Warnings❞
According to eyewitness accounts, the attacker crashed his car near the synagogue, then emerged wielding a knife. Police were called to the scene within minutes. A witness told BBC Radio that officers gave verbal warnings before firing.
“They gave him a couple of warnings. He didn’t listen until they opened fire,” the witness said. “He went down on the floor, then he started getting back up – and they shot him again.”
Authorities later confirmed that three injured victims remain in “serious condition” and are receiving treatment. Worshippers inside the synagogue were held back temporarily as police secured the area before evacuating the building.
The attack comes just days before the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023 Hamas raid on Israel – a date which sparked widespread violence in Gaza and reignited religious and political tensions globally, including in the United Kingdom.
Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham commended the police for a rapid response. “This was dealt with very quickly, with amazing support from members of the public,” he said, while urging people “not to speculate” on social media.
The city of Manchester, home to more than 28,000 Jews according to the 2021 Institute for Jewish Policy Research census, has long prided itself on robust interfaith relations. The area also hosts significant Muslim and Christian populations.
“By and large, community relations here are excellent,” said local MP Graham Stringer. “This attack is a shocking outlier, not a reflection of our city.”
The Community Security Trust (CST), a Jewish charity that tracks antisemitic attacks, is working with police to support local residents.
“This appears to be an appalling attack on the holiest day of the Jewish year,” CST said. “We urge calm, vigilance, and solidarity with the victims.”
This latest tragedy is a painful reminder of Manchester’s vulnerability to terror. In 2017, the city suffered a devastating suicide bombing at the Manchester Arena that killed 22 people, including children.
Authorities are now tightening security at synagogues across the UK and have urged the public to remain alert but avoid panic.
As investigations continue, national security officials are exploring potential ideological or extremist motives behind the attack.
“The timing, location, and method all point to a calculated act of terror,” a counterterrorism expert familiar with the investigation said.
For now, a community mourns – and a nation watches, wary but determined not to let violence define it.
