A horrifying act of violence has rocked the country. Four weeks later, two Jewish men were shot to death in a terrorist attack outside of a Jewish synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester, on Yom Kippur—the holiest day in Judaism. Melvin Cravitz, 66 and Adrian Daulby, 53 were in the synagogue fighting off attackers. Sadly, they were targeted at this precarious time. The attack on Shalom has brought fresh attention to the growing antisemitism in the UK. That’s why community leaders and government officials alike are sounding the alarm.
He highlighted the need to honor the grief of the Jewish community this week as well. He urged anyone considering protests to “recognise and respect the grief of British Jews this week.” In response, Starmer made the most comprehensive commitment of all to make every single Jewish person feel safe in this country. He promised, “I will do whatever is within my ability to ensure their safety.”
The attack has caused anger and outrage across the UK. An overwhelming number of Manchester’s Jewish community prior to the attack described a sense of inevitability about such violence. Rabbi Daniel Walker of Heaton Park described the victims as “truly wonderful, special men,” highlighting the personal loss felt by those who knew them.
Hundreds of mourners filled the steps of the synagogue during a memorial service for Daulby and Cravitz. The mood was drenched with grief as locals tried to process the horrors of Tuesday’s attack. Britain’s chief rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, lamented that this was “the day we hoped we would never see, but which deep down, we knew would come.” His sentiments resonated with the feelings of so many of us who have endured the surge of antisemitism over these past years.
According to police, at least three people were injured in the shooting and are recovering at a downtown hospital. Manchester Police Chief Constable Stephen Watson said armed officers fired the only shots during the incident. They took steps to secure the Jewish community, but take revenge on the harm doers.
“The only shots fired were from GMP’s Authorised Firearms Officers as they worked to prevent the offender from entering the synagogue and causing further harm to our Jewish community,” – Manchester police Chief Constable Stephen Watson
Chief Constable Watson further highlighted that one of the victims was injured during the emergency response. He referred to these injuries as something that could become “a tragic and unforeseen consequence” of their goal in attempting to neutralize the threat. He asked everyone to let the dignity of this moment of mourning inspire their understanding.
In a display of solidarity, British Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy promised to never stop fighting terrorism. Speaking amidst heckling from some in the crowd, he emphasized unity while acknowledging the fear and concern that such attacks instill across communities.
“That is why we stand in defiance of those terrorists who seek to divide us, who want to pit neighbor against neighbor,” – David Lammy
Yet the impact of the incident goes far beyond Manchester, attracting national and international attention. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar called upon British Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper to adopt a tough approach. He decried what he called a “toxic antisemitism movement” in Britain. The Community Security Trust (CST) reported that antisemitic incidents in Britain have been on an upward trajectory over the past decade, reaching record levels last year.
The need for community security and assistance to victims are important points of debate. Keir Starmer’s demand for respect whilst our nation mourns reminds us all that we are craving an environment that champions empathy and compassion.
In the letter, officials from the Metropolitan Police noted that they were worried about increasing tensions and noted their dedication to community safety. They noted that while they wish to deploy resources effectively for public safety, they are planning for large gatherings related to ongoing tensions.
“The horrific terrorist attack that took place in Manchester yesterday will have caused significant fear and concern in communities across the UK, including here in London,” – The Metropolitan Police
