A terrorist attack with a vehicle and white weapon against faithful in a southern Manchester has shocked the United Kingdom and has reopened the debate on anti -Semitism in the context of the war in Gaza.
The incident, occurred on Thursday on the outskirts of the Synagogue of the Heaton Park Congregation, north of Manchester, left three dead, including the attacker, and several seriously injured, according to Press reports.
The attack, which is being investigated as a terrorist attack against the Jewish community of the United Kingdom, occurred during the Yom Kippur celebrations, the most sacred day of Judaism.
An attack in front of a synagogue in Manchester leaves two dead and four serious injuries
Two people were killed and four were seriously injured in front of a synagogue in Manchester during the Yom Kipur holiday, in an attack that the British authorities … pic.twitter.com/xhtwwh7b1c
– Spanish DW (@DW_ESPANOL) October 2, 2025
The alert was activated at 9:30 am (local time) in the Crumpall neighborhood, six kilometers from the city center, when witnesses reported a car ramming a group of people and stabbing, reported ABC.
The security forces immediately declared an “major incident” following the protocol for terrorist attacks, and the perpetrator, who ignored police warnings, was killed in the place, a few minutes after the first warning on the attack.
“There were a large number of parishioners attending the synagogue at the time of this attack, but thanks to the immediate courage of the security forces, the faithful inside and the rapid response of the police, access to the attacker was prevented,” said Stephen Watson, head of the Greater Manchester police, aforementioned by EFE.
The attacker, the victims and reactions
The authorities confirmed that the perpetrator carried a vest with “the appearance of an explosive artifact” but, after being analyzed by specialized troops it was shown that it was “inoperative.”
The investigations in progress seek to determine if the attacker acted alone or is part of a criminal gang. As part of them, at least three suspected people have been arrested for being involved in what happened.
Later this Thursday the police identified the attacker as Jihad al-Shamie, a 35-year-old British citizen and Syrian aim. As reported, there were no previous records of man in the British anti -terrorism prevention program.
The British anti-terrorism police identifies the author of the terrorist attack in a synagogue of Mercanters such as Jihad al-Shamie, a 35-year-old British citizen and Syrian descent.https://t.co/oa7mfytBG7 pic.twitter.com/v1rwkex0f1
– Efe News (@Efenoticias) October 2, 2025
As for fatalities, these are two men, 53 and 66, residents in the area. Previously, medical services had confirmed that one of them was a safety guard of the synagogue, with injuries due to the impact of the vehicle and knife.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer interrupted his trip to Denmark due to the attack and claimed to be “horrified” by what happened. In addition, he called to “defeat anti -Semitism” and announced that he will have “everything necessary” to protect synagogues and the Jewish community of the country.
For his part, King Carlos III was “deeply shocked and sorry”, while the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, asked “to continue fighting against anti -Semitism in all its forms” and considered “that this attack takes place in Yom Kippur, the most sacred day of the Jewish calendar, makes it even more terrible.”
At the same time, leaders of the Jewish community of the United Kingdom and also from the state of Israel, they assured that the attack is the result of a wave of anti -Semitism in that country and pointed to the British authorities – and, in particular, to the current government – so they consider a weakness against radical Islamism and the growing support for the Palestinian cause against the Israeli offensive in Gaza.
