UK Synagogue Attack on Yom Kippur Declared Terrorism by Police/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A deadly rampage at a Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur left two dead and four seriously injured. Police declared the car-and-knife assault a terrorist attack and confirmed the suspect was shot dead. The attack comes amid a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents across the United Kingdom.
Quick Look: UK Synagogue Terrorist Attack
- Two killed, Four seriously injured outside Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur.
- Attacker drove car into people, then carried out stabbings before being shot.
- Police confirm assault as a terrorist attack; two additional suspects arrested.
- Incident heightens concerns as antisemitic incidents soar in the U.K.
- Leaders including PM Keir Starmer and King Charles III condemn attack.
Deep Look: Manchester Synagogue Terrorist Attack on Yom Kippur
MANCHESTER, England — British police confirmed Thursday that a deadly rampage outside a synagogue in northern England was a terrorist attack, marking one of the most serious assaults on the Jewish community in recent years.
The attack unfolded at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester, where worshippers had gathered for Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year.
Deadly Rampage on Sacred Day
According to Greater Manchester Police, an assailant drove a vehicle into people outside the synagogue before emerging and stabbing congregants. Two victims were killed and four others were left with serious injuries.
Police shot and killed the suspect, though confirmation was delayed due to fears he may have been carrying explosives. Video from the scene showed armed officers surrounding a man lying on the ground, with bystanders shouting warnings that he had a bomb. A gunshot rang out when the suspect attempted to rise. Later, bomb disposal teams detonated an explosion to access the suspect’s car.
The Metropolitan Police in London, which oversees national counter-terrorism operations, officially classified the assault as a terrorist attack. Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor also confirmed that two other suspects had been arrested, though no further details were released.
Eyewitness Accounts
Witnesses described scenes of chaos as the attack began. Chava Lewin, a neighbor, said she initially thought the noise she heard was a firework until her husband rushed inside warning of a “terrorist attack.” Another witness reported seeing the car crash into synagogue gates before the driver emerged with a knife, targeting a security guard and attempting to force entry.
“It’s every rabbi’s or every Jewish person’s worst nightmare,” said Rabbi Jonathan Romain of Maidenhead Synagogue. “Not only is this the most sacred day of the Jewish calendar, but it’s also a time of mass gathering.”
Rising Antisemitism in the U.K.
The assault has heightened concerns about antisemitic violence in Britain, which has surged since the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent Israeli military campaign in Gaza. According to the Community Security Trust, an advocacy group for British Jews, over 1,500 antisemitic incidents were reported in the first half of this year — the second-highest number ever recorded.
Manchester has a tragic history of being targeted in extremist violence. In 2017, a suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande concert killed 22 people, Britain’s deadliest terror attack in recent years.
National Emergency Response
Authorities declared “Plato,” the code used by police and emergency services to respond to marauding terror attacks. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, attending a European summit in Copenhagen at the time, flew back to the U.K. to convene the government’s emergency committee.
“I am appalled by this horrific attack,” Starmer said, announcing that additional police units would be stationed at synagogues across the country. “That it happened on Yom Kippur makes it even more horrific.”
King Charles III also issued a statement expressing his condolences: “We are deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the attack on such a significant day for the Jewish community. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected, and we greatly appreciate the swift actions of the emergency services.”
What Comes Next
With the investigation ongoing, questions remain about the suspect’s background, the potential involvement of accomplices, and whether the assault was tied to broader extremist networks.
The attack has already intensified political and public debates about security for religious communities in the U.K., where Jewish leaders have long warned about rising threats. The government has pledged enhanced protection measures for synagogues and Jewish schools in the wake of the tragedy.
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