Manchester, a city known for its resilience and diversity, is reeling after a deadly attack on the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Crumpsall, north Manchester, on October 2, 2025. The incident, which occurred on Yom Kippur—the holiest day in the Jewish calendar—has left Britain’s Jewish community in shock and mourning, and raised urgent questions about security, antisemitism, and the boundaries of protest in the United Kingdom.
According to BBC, the attack began when Jihad Al-Shamie, a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian heritage, drove his car into a group of people gathered outside the synagogue. He then leapt from the vehicle and began attacking bystanders with a knife, before attempting to force his way into the building. The congregation, sensing the imminent danger, barricaded the doors to prevent his entry. In the frantic moments that followed, armed officers arrived and shot Al-Shamie dead outside the synagogue.
Tragically, two Jewish men—Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66—lost their lives in the attack. Three others were seriously injured, including Yoni Finlay, who, as later confirmed by Greater Manchester Police (GMP), was shot during the emergency response. In a somber statement, GMP Chief Constable Steve Watson described the fatal shooting of Daulby as "a tragic and unforeseen consequence of the urgently required action" taken by officers to end what he called a "vicious" attack. The police watchdog has launched an investigation into the circumstances of the shooting, as reported by DW.
The sense of horror was compounded by the revelation that Al-Shamie was wearing what appeared to be an explosives belt, which was later found to be fake. Police declared the incident an act of terrorism, and Counter Terrorism Policing chief Laurence Taylor told the press that Al-Shamie may have been influenced by "extreme Islamist ideology," though investigators had not yet established a definitive motive. Notably, Al-Shamie was not previously known to Counter Terrorism Police, but he had a prior criminal history, including a recent arrest for rape. At the time of the attack, he was out on bail but had not been charged, according to The Times of Israel and BBC.
The aftermath has seen an immense mobilization of police resources. Assistant Chief Constable Chris Sykes told BBC that hundreds of extra officers were deployed across Manchester, with many working 12-hour shifts and rest days cancelled. "We've got lots of officers and staff out there—very, very visible," Sykes said. "We have got extra patrols... an awful lot of extra staff into certain communities and here into the city centre." This heightened presence aims to reassure Manchester’s Jewish population and other communities as they grapple with the emotional fallout of the attack.
In the days following the attack, GMP arrested six people—three men and three women, aged between 18 and 61—on suspicion of the commission, preparation, and instigation of acts of terrorism. Four of these suspects, two men aged 30 and 32 and two women aged 46 and 61, were granted warrants for further detention of up to five days. The remaining two, an 18-year-old woman and a 43-year-old man, remain in custody for questioning. Police have not disclosed what, if any, links these individuals have to Al-Shamie, stating only that the investigation is ongoing and raids have been conducted in at least three locations across Manchester and Bolton, as noted by The Times of Israel and BBC.
The attack has reignited a fierce debate about the intersection of antisemitism, criticism of Israel, and the right to protest in the UK. According to AP, recorded antisemitic incidents have risen sharply in the UK since Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza, as documented by the Community Security Trust. Some politicians and religious leaders have voiced concerns that pro-Palestinian demonstrations—which have been held regularly since the conflict began—could be fueling anti-Jewish hatred. While these protests have been overwhelmingly peaceful, certain chants, such as "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free," have drawn criticism for allegedly inciting antisemitism.
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, head of Orthodox Judaism in Britain, did not mince words, stating the attack was the result of "an unrelenting wave of Jew hatred" on the streets and online. His remarks echoed broader concerns within the Jewish community, many of whom feel increasingly vulnerable in the current climate. The debate spilled into the political arena as well: Prime Minister Keir Starmer, speaking after the attack, urged protest organizers to "recognize and respect the grief of British Jews this week" and postpone demonstrations out of respect for the victims. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy faced boos and shouts of "Shame on you" as he addressed a vigil for the victims in Manchester, highlighting the raw emotions and deep divisions the attack has exposed.
Despite calls from police in London and national leaders to postpone protests, groups such as Defend Our Juries have refused to cancel demonstrations. Jonathon Porritt, a member of the group, told the BBC, "But I don't think that means that we should be asked to give up on our right to stand up for those who are being devastated by an ongoing, real-time genocide in Gaza." He added that protesters would "demonstrate huge respect and real grief for those affected by the absolute atrocity at Heaton Park." This tension between respecting victims and defending the right to protest underscores the complexity of the current moment.
Meanwhile, Greater Manchester Police have tried to keep disruption to a minimum during recent protests, including a pro-Palestinian march in the city centre on October 4, 2025, which initially attracted about 100 supporters. Officers intervened when a small counter-demonstration approached, but the event remained largely peaceful. Police planning has also had to account for the upcoming Conservative Party Conference, set to begin October 5, 2025, further stretching resources and heightening security concerns.
As the Jewish community mourns the loss of Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz, and families keep vigil for those still hospitalized, Manchester—and the nation—are left to reckon with the implications of this tragedy. The investigation continues, with authorities determined to uncover whether Al-Shamie acted alone or as part of a wider conspiracy. For now, the city remains on edge, united in grief but divided over the path forward in a time of rising tensions and uncertainty.
The events of October 2 have left an indelible mark on Manchester, serving as both a stark warning and a call for compassion, vigilance, and honest dialogue in the face of mounting challenges.
