On the morning of October 2, 2025, the serenity of Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, was shattered outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall, Greater Manchester. What began as a day of fasting and reflection for the Jewish community quickly turned into a scene of terror, heartbreak, and, ultimately, resilience.
At 9:37 AM, emergency services received a chilling call: a car had been driven at speed toward members of the public outside the synagogue, and a man had been stabbed. Within minutes, the attacker—a bearded man dressed in dark clothing, later identified as 35-year-old Jihad al Shamie, a British citizen of Syrian descent—was shot dead by police. According to Greater Manchester Police (GMP), the entire ordeal, from the first alert to the fatal police intervention, lasted just seven minutes.
The violence left two members of the Jewish community dead and four others hospitalized in serious condition. The shockwaves rippled far beyond the synagogue’s gates, reverberating through Manchester and across the UK. GMP Chief Constable Stephen Watson commended the “immediate bravery” of both security staff and worshippers. “There were a large number of worshippers attending the synagogue at the time of this attack,” Watson told reporters, “but thanks to the immediate bravery of security staff and the worshippers inside, as well as the fast response of the police, the attacker was prevented from gaining access.”
Eyewitnesses described panic and confusion as the attacker, wearing what appeared to be an explosive vest (later confirmed to be non-viable), rammed his car into the synagogue gates and began stabbing anyone near him. Chava Lewin, a religious Jew who lives next door, recounted, “The second he got out of the car he started stabbing anyone near him. He went for the security guard and tried to break into the synagogue. Someone barricaded the door. Everyone is in utter shock.”
Inside, as prayers were underway, Rabbi Daniel Walker and others led the congregation to safety, remaining calm amid the chaos. One congregant called them “true heroes.” Outside, police declared a major incident and, as a precaution, a bomb disposal unit was dispatched to the scene. The attacker’s vest, which had stoked fears of a greater catastrophe, was found to be a hoax.
The attack was swiftly classified as a terrorist incident. Three additional suspects—two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s—were arrested on suspicion of terrorism-related offenses. The identity of the attacker was initially withheld for safety reasons but was later released by police. The investigation, as Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood noted, would “take a little time,” but authorities pledged transparency as soon as possible.
Political leaders from across the spectrum condemned the attack in the strongest terms. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who cut short his trip to the European Political Community summit in Denmark to chair an emergency COBRA meeting, stood outside Downing Street to address the nation. “To every Jewish person in this country, I also want to say this: I know how much fear you will be holding inside of you. I really do,” Starmer said. “And so, on behalf of our country, I express my solidarity, but also my sadness that you still have to live with these fears. Nobody should have to do that. Nobody.” He vowed, “I will do everything in my power to guarantee you the security that you deserve, starting with a more visible police presence, protecting your community.”
Starmer’s words were matched by action: additional police assets were deployed to synagogues across the country. “Over the coming days, you will see the other Britain, the Britain of compassion, of decency, of love,” he promised. “And I promise you that this Britain will come together 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.”
The royal family also weighed in. King Charles III and Queen Camilla said they were “deeply shocked and saddened” by the “appalling incident,” while the Prince and Princess of Wales sent their thoughts to the victims and their families. The Community Security Trust, a group dedicated to monitoring antisemitism in the UK, called it an “appalling attack on the holiest day of the Jewish year.”
Jewish organizations, including the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council, expressed devastation at the loss of life and their support for those injured and affected. Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis called it “the day we hoped we would never see, but which deep down, we knew would come,” adding, “Our hearts are shattered.”
The sense of foreboding was echoed by Alex Hearn of Labour Against Antisemitism, who told the BBC, “Many Jews understood it was never ‘if’ an attack like this was going to happen, it was ‘when’, because attacks against Jews have spiralled out of control and some mass attacks have already been foiled by the security services.”
International reactions were swift and pointed. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the “barbaric terror attack,” declaring, “Our hearts are with the families of the murdered, and we pray for the swift recovery of the wounded.” Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar was more critical, accusing British authorities of failing to curb antisemitism and stating, “Israel expects more than words from the Starmer government.” The Israeli embassy confirmed it was in close contact with Manchester’s Jewish community and UK authorities to provide support.
From within the UK, unity was the prevailing message. Imam Qari Asim, co-chairman of the British Muslim Network, said, “Antisemitism in all its forms is totally unacceptable,” while Allama Qamaruzzaman Azmi, chief imam of a local mosque, pledged solidarity with the Jewish community. The Archbishop of York and the Bishop of Manchester both called for harmony and warned against divisive rhetoric, with the latter cautioning that “short-term political gain is no excuse for long-term damage to the fabric of our communities.”
As investigators continue their work and the community mourns, the events of Yom Kippur 2025 have left an indelible mark. The attack has reignited urgent debate about antisemitism, security, and the responsibilities of both government and society. But amid the grief and anger, the bravery of ordinary people—security staff, worshippers, neighbors—has offered a glimmer of hope. Their actions, alongside the promises of political and faith leaders, suggest that even in the darkest moments, the bonds of community and compassion can endure.
