On Thursday, October 2, 2025, the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Manchester, England, became the scene of a devastating terrorist attack that has left the city’s Jewish community—and the wider nation—in shock. The assault, which occurred on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, claimed the lives of two worshippers and wounded three others, casting a pall over what should have been a day of solemn reflection and atonement.
The attack unfolded in the Manchester suburb of Crumpsall, as congregants gathered at the Orthodox synagogue for morning services. According to Greater Manchester Police, the assailant, later identified as Jihad Al-Shamie, a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent, drove a car into pedestrians outside the synagogue before emerging and attacking with a knife. The chaos and horror were compounded by the fact that Al-Shamie was wearing what appeared to be an explosives belt—though it was later found to be fake.
Within seven minutes of the attack’s onset, police responded and shot Al-Shamie dead. But the damage had already been done. Two local residents, Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, lost their lives. Three others were hospitalized in serious condition, as reported by the Associated Press. The attack’s timing and brutality have left many struggling to process the magnitude of the loss, particularly those with personal ties to the synagogue. One member, reflecting on the tragedy, shared, “Turning on the news and seeing such familiar faces and places become the targets of antisemitic violence was something I never imagined.”
The impact of the attack was deeply personal for many. As one individual recounted, “Luckily, my father hadn’t arrived for services yet, but horrifically, two members of his community, Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz, may their memories be a blessing, were killed.” The sense of horror and sickness was palpable among those who had grown up in the synagogue, celebrated milestones there, and considered it a sanctuary.
Authorities have launched a full-scale investigation, treating the incident as a terrorist attack. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated that Al-Shamie was not previously known to police or to Prevent, the UK’s national counterterror program aimed at identifying individuals at risk of radicalization. “It’s too early to say” whether the attacker acted alone or was part of a cell, Mahmood said, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the investigation. Police also arrested three individuals—two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s—on suspicion of preparing or commissioning acts of terrorism.
In the aftermath, political and religious leaders moved swiftly to condemn the violence and reassure Britain’s Jewish community, which numbers around 300,000. Prime Minister Keir Starmer was unequivocal in his response, denouncing the “vile” assailant who “attacked Jews because they are Jews.” Starmer pledged, “I will do everything in my power to guarantee you the security that you deserve.” He added that the country would unite “to wrap our arms around your community and show you that Britain is a place where you and your family are safe, secure and belong.”
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, head of Orthodox Judaism in Britain, linked the attack to what he described as “an unrelenting wave of Jew hatred” both on the streets and online. In a somber message on social media, Mirvis wrote, “This is the day we hoped we would never see, but which deep down, we knew would come.” He later urged authorities to take stronger action against pro-Palestinian demonstrations, which have been a regular feature in the UK since the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. “You cannot separate the words on our streets, the actions of people in this way, and what inevitably results, which was yesterday’s terrorist attack,” Mirvis told the BBC.
The debate over the role of pro-Palestinian protests in fueling antisemitism has intensified in the wake of the attack. Some politicians and religious leaders argue that chants such as “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” incite violence and hatred. Others, including Jews who support the protests, maintain that their aim is to call for a ceasefire, an end to the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, and the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. The tension between these perspectives has only grown as the country grapples with the aftermath of the Manchester attack.
Home Secretary Mahmood also weighed in, expressing dismay that protests had not been canceled following the tragedy. She described it as “dishonorable” and noted that 40 people were arrested on Thursday evening at demonstrations unrelated to the synagogue attack, which were organized in response to the Israeli navy’s interception of a flotilla attempting to break the blockade of Gaza. Meanwhile, police in London urged organizers to call off a protest planned for Saturday to oppose the banning of the group Palestine Action, but organizers have insisted the demonstration will proceed.
The attack comes amid a sharp rise in recorded antisemitic incidents in the UK. According to the Community Security Trust, an advocacy group for British Jews, more than 1,500 incidents were reported in the first half of 2025 alone—the second-highest six-month total ever, surpassed only by the record set in the previous year. The surge in antisemitism has been linked to the escalation of violence in the Middle East, particularly since Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza.
In response to the heightened sense of vulnerability, police have increased their presence on the streets of Manchester and pledged to maintain a visible security posture throughout the weekend. The goal, officials say, is to reassure the Jewish community and deter any further threats. Yet, for many, the sense of loss and fear will linger long after the news cameras leave. The attack has not only shattered lives but also reignited a national conversation about the roots of antisemitism, the boundaries of protest, and the responsibilities of leaders in safeguarding minority communities.
As the investigation continues and the community mourns, the memory of Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz will endure as a stark reminder of the dangers that persist—even in places of worship and on days of peace. The hope, among many, is that their loss will serve as a catalyst for greater understanding, vigilance, and unity in the face of hatred.
