On September 24, 2023, a tragic attack occurred at the Heaton Park Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall, a suburb of Manchester, England. During the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, two men were killed in a violent incident involving a car and a knife. The victims have been identified as local residents Adrian Daulby, aged 53, and Melvin Cravitz, aged 66.
The attack unfolded as worshippers gathered for Yom Kippur, a day of atonement. According to Greater Manchester Police, three other individuals sustained serious injuries and remain hospitalized. The suspect, identified as Jihad Al-Shamie, a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent, was shot dead by police within seven minutes of the attack. He had rammed his vehicle into pedestrians outside the synagogue before launching a knife assault. Authorities later confirmed that the explosives belt he wore was a fake.
In the wake of the incident, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, the leading figure in Orthodox Judaism in Britain, condemned the act, attributing it to what he described as “an unrelenting wave of Jew hatred.” He expressed the profound sorrow felt by the community, stating, “This is the day we hoped we would never see, but which deep down, we knew would come.”
The investigation into the assault is being treated as a terrorist act. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood revealed that Al-Shamie was not known to police or to the national counter-terror program, Prevent, which seeks to identify individuals at risk of radicalization. Authorities are currently examining the motives behind the attack, with three additional suspects arrested on terrorism-related charges. These include two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s.
In response to the attack, Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his outrage, labeling the assailant’s actions as “vile.” He reassured the Jewish community of his commitment to ensuring their safety, stating, “I will do everything in my power to guarantee you the security that you deserve.” Starmer emphasized that the broader British community stands united against such violence and pledged to demonstrate compassion and support for those affected.
The tragic events of Yom Kippur have deepened concerns about rising antisemitism in the UK. Community leaders are calling for increased vigilance and solidarity in the face of hate crimes. As investigations continue, the nation reflects on the importance of unity and resilience in the wake of such acts of terror.
