Manchester synagogue attacker named, as UK police arrest third terror suspect

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who flew back to London early from a summit of European leaders in Denmark, ordered stronger police protection for all Jewish centres around Britain after he emerged from a cabinet meeting to condemn the attack.

“Earlier today, on Yom Kippur, the holiest day for the Jewish community, a vile individual committed a terrorist attack that attacked Jews because they are Jews, and attacked Britain because of our values,” Starmer said.

Acknowledging the rising antisemitism, he addressed Jewish people directly in a televised media statement that said Britain had to defeat the hatred against Jews as it had done before.

“I promise you that I will do everything in my power to guarantee you the security that you deserve, starting with a more visible police presence, protecting your community,” he said.

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King Charles III said he and Queen Camilla were “deeply shocked and saddened” by the attack.

Jewish leaders praised the rapid response by local police, who stopped the suspect within seven minutes of their being called, but they expressed dismay at rising antisemitism and called on political leaders to do more to stop the hatred and violence.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel grieved with the Jewish community in Britain, while saying: “Weakness in the face of terrorism only brings more terrorism. Only strength and unity can defeat it.”

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has called on the Starmer government to “curb this toxic wave of antisemitism” in Britain.

“The authorities in Britain have failed to take the necessary action to curb this toxic wave of antisemitism and have effectively allowed it to persist,” he said.

“We expect more than words from the Starmer government. We expect and demand a change of course, effective action, and enforcement against the rampant antisemitic and anti-Israeli incitement in Britain.”

Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester chief executive Marc Levy said the country had to do more to stop foreign conflicts being imported onto British streets.

He said the attack showed what it meant when protesters used phrases like “globalising the intifada” – a reference to the Palestinian uprising against Israel.

“Unfortunately, at this time, we have seen a surge in hate crime, and we have been warning about this for a considerable period of time,” he told the BBC. “And there has been precious little solidarity and support from many in wider society who seem to dismiss anti-Jewish racism as some second-class form of racism.”

Dame Louise Ellman, a vice-president of the Jewish Leadership Council and a former Labour MP, said there had been rising concern about antisemitism and fears that an attack would occur.

“It’s an issue for the Jewish community; it’s also an issue for the whole of society,” she said. “What are we going to do to stop hate speech? We want freedom of speech, yes, but it should not spill into hatred.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese offered his condolences to the people of Manchester, saying, “there is no place for terrorism in our streets and all Australians stand with the UK at this dreadful time”.

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley urged the government to do more to address the risks to the Australian Jewish community, while Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie criticised Albanese’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state.

Witnesses describe knife attack

Greater Manchester Police said they had been called to the synagogue about 9.30am, shortly after services had begun.

“The guy had a knife, and he was just stabbing the window trying to get in,” one witness, Gareth, told the BBC.

Those inside the synagogue helped to stop the attacker alongside security volunteers who closed the building and prevented him from entering, police said.

“Thanks to the immediate bravery of security staff and the worshippers inside as well as the fast response of the police, the attacker was prevented from gaining access,” police chief Stephen Watson said.

In one video shared on social media, police urge bystanders to move back, while a suspect lies on the ground next to the synagogue wall. A policeman says the suspect has a bomb. When the man attempts to get up, he is shot. Police later said he did not have a “viable” explosive.

At least three people were hospitalised in serious condition after the attack, officials said. One person sustained a stab wound, while a second was struck by the car involved in the attack. A third person arrived at a hospital with an injury that may have been sustained as officers stopped the attacker. A fourth person was taken to hospital, but their injuries and condition were not available.

The synagogue is in the northern Manchester suburb of Crumpsall, where Jewish and Muslim communities live side by side. Manchester is home to more than 25,000 Jews, the largest community in Britain outside London.

Police cordoned off homes in parts of Manchester while they investigated the suspects they believe had assisted al-Shamie.

Just hours after the attack, thousands of people waving Palestinian flags gathered in central London. They were responding to an earlier call to protest against the arrest of activist Greta Thunberg and others after Israeli forces had intercepted a flotilla of more than 40 vessels seeking to land in Gaza to deliver aid and show support for the Palestinian cause.

Violent clashes broke out between pro-Palestinian protesters and police outside the gates of Downing Street, setting off a debate about whether protesters should take to the streets hours after the attack on the synagogue.

Manchester was the site of Britain’s deadliest terror attack in recent years, the 2017 suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande concert that killed 22 people.

With AP

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