An attacker rammed a vehicle into individuals outside a synagogue in northern England and then proceeded to stab them, resulting in two deaths and four serious injuries during a terrorist assault on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, as confirmed by the police.
Law enforcement officials shot and killed the perpetrator outside the Manchester synagogue; however, due to the suspect’s vest giving the impression of explosives, authorities took time to verify his death. Subsequently, authorities clarified that he did not possess a bomb.
The Metropolitan Police in London, responsible for counterterrorism operations, designated the incident as a terrorist attack.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer denounced the suspect as a “despicable individual” who conducted a terrorist assault targeting Jews due to their faith and Britain for its principles.
The suspect was identified as Jihad Al-Shamie, a 35-year-old British national of Syrian descent, who arrived in the U.K. as a child and became a citizen in 2006. Initial investigations revealed that he was not part of a U.K. program aimed at identifying individuals at risk of radicalization.
Police disclosed that three individuals were arrested on suspicion of involvement in planning, preparing, and inciting acts of terrorism, comprising two men in their thirties and a woman in her sixties.
Efforts were underway to formally identify the deceased and ascertain the motive behind the attack.
At least three individuals were hospitalized in critical condition, with one sustaining a stab wound, another hit by the car used in the attack, and a third arriving at the hospital with an injury possibly inflicted during the assailant’s apprehension. Initially, authorities mentioned a fourth person injured in the incident.
The incident occurred at an Orthodox synagogue in a suburban Manchester neighborhood on Yom Kippur, the day of atonement and the most solemn occasion in the Jewish annual calendar. Authorities confirmed that the two deceased were of Jewish descent.
Rabbi Jonathan Romain of Maidenhead Synagogue and head of the Rabbinic Court of Great Britain expressed, “This is the worst nightmare for every rabbi or Jewish person.” He emphasized the significance of the day as a time of gathering for the Jewish community, regardless of religious beliefs.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu extended condolences to the U.K. Jewish community, expressing solidarity and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.
Greater Manchester Police received a report from a member of the public shortly after 9:30 a.m. local time, indicating an incident at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue. The caller reported a car being driven toward pedestrians and a stabbing incident involving one man.
Chief Constable Stephen Watson revealed that the assailant targeted pedestrians outside the synagogue with a car and then proceeded to attack them with a knife.
Starmer returned to the U.K. from Copenhagen, where he was attending a summit, to preside over an urgent government meeting in response to the attack. He assured the Jewish community of enhanced security measures, including increased police presence near synagogues nationwide.
Additional police officers will be deployed to safeguard synagogues across Britain, as Starmer emphasized the values of compassion, decency, and unity prevailing in the country.
King Charles and Queen Camilla expressed deep sorrow over the attack on social media, extending sympathies to those affected and commending the swift response of emergency services.
Manchester was previously the site of a major attack, the 2017 suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande concert that claimed 22 lives.
