Manchester Synagogue Attack on Yom Kippur Leaves Two Dead and Several Injured

Tragedy Strikes During Holiest Day of Jewish Calendar

A terrorist attack outside a synagogue in Manchester has left two worshippers dead and several others injured on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Police confirmed that the suspect, identified as Jihad Al-Shamie, a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent, was shot dead by armed officers after ramming his car into pedestrians and carrying out a stabbing spree.

The attack took place outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall, north Manchester, as the Jewish community gathered for prayers on Thursday morning.

What Happened in Manchester

The sequence of events unfolded rapidly:

• At 9:31 a.m., Greater Manchester Police (GMP) received reports of a car being deliberately driven into people near the synagogue.
• Witnesses described the suspect exiting the vehicle and launching a stabbing attack.
• By 9:37 a.m., police had declared a major incident, activating Operation Plato, a code used for marauding terrorist attacks.
• At 9:38 a.m., GMP firearms officers shot the suspect after he ignored commands and attempted to continue his attack.
• Paramedics arrived at 9:41 a.m., treating multiple victims for stab wounds and impact injuries from the vehicle.

Despite swift medical response, two victims lost their lives:

• Adrian Daulby, 53
• Melvin Cravitz, 66
  Both men were members of the Crumpsall Jewish community. Three others remain in serious condition in hospital.

The Attacker: Jihad Al-Shamie

Authorities later identified the attacker as Jihad Al-Shamie, a British citizen of Syrian heritage who entered the UK as a child and obtained citizenship in 2006.

Police revealed that he was wearing a vest that appeared to be an explosive device, but it was later confirmed to be a hoax. Officials also clarified that Al-Shamie was not on the radar of the UK’s counter-radicalization program.

Three additional suspects — two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s — have been arrested on suspicion of terrorism-related offenses.

Government and Community Response

The incident has been declared a terrorist attack by counterterrorism police. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer cut short his trip to Denmark to chair an emergency COBRA meeting in London.

In a statement, Starmer described the attacker as a “vile individual” who targeted Jews “because they are Jews.” He added:

“Britain is a country that stands up to hatred. But antisemitism is on the rise again, and we must defeat it once more.”

He confirmed that extra police patrols had been deployed to synagogues and Jewish sites across the UK.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla also expressed their condolences, saying they were “deeply shocked and saddened” by the violence on such a significant day.

The Israeli Embassy in London condemned the attack, calling it “abhorrent and deeply distressing,” while Jewish advocacy group Community Security Trust (CST) reported that antisemitic incidents in the UK have been at record highs since the Gaza war in 2023.

Significance of the Timing: Yom Kippur

The attack took place on Yom Kippur, the most solemn and sacred day in Judaism, marked by fasting, prayer, and reflection. For many Jewish families, it is the one day of the year they attend synagogue, making the assault particularly devastating.

Local residents expressed shock, with many saying Manchester has long been home to strong interfaith ties. “I’ve known nothing but love and kindness from our Jewish community. I’m just shocked this could happen,” said Sam Martin, a resident near the synagogue.

A Troubling Rise in Antisemitism

The Manchester synagogue attack has been described as one of the worst antisemitic attacks in Europe since the Hamas assault on Israel in October 2023.

According to the Community Security Trust, there were over 1,500 antisemitic incidents reported in the UK in the first half of 2024 alone, making it one of the highest totals on record. Synagogues have increasingly become targets, raising security concerns across the country.

The Manchester synagogue attack highlights the dangerous rise of extremist violence and antisemitism in the UK and Europe. As investigations continue, both the government and Jewish community are calling for stronger protections and unity against hatred.

The swift police response prevented an even greater tragedy, but the loss of two lives on Yom Kippur has left Manchester — and the wider Jewish world — in mourning.