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A British man allegedly sold his restaurant to finance an armed attack on Jews in Manchester. Prosecutors told Preston Crown Court that 36-year-old Walid Saadaoui planned to buy four AK-47 rifles, two handguns, and 1,200 rounds of ammunition for a mass shooting inspired by ISIS.
Police arrested him in a Bolton hotel car park after he met an undercover officer posing as a weapons dealer. According to prosecutors, Saadaoui believed he was acquiring the firearms for an imminent assault.
Radicalization Through Online Propaganda
Prosecutor Kelly Brocklehurst said Saadaoui managed at least ten online accounts spreading ISIS propaganda since 2022. His posts glorified violence and called for martyrdom.
One message read: “We will fight until death, even if souls have perished and blood has been shed.”
Another post shared in June 2023 stated: “Should you be martyred or die in the cause of Allah, then his forgiveness and mercy are far better than whatever wealth those who stay behind accumulated.”
These statements, Brocklehurst explained, reflected not only extremist devotion but also clear intent to act. Consequently, authorities treated the threat as credible and immediate.
Co-Defendants and Court Proceedings
Two additional suspects are facing related charges. Amar Hussein, 52, stands accused of preparing terrorist acts. Bilel Saadaoui, Walid’s brother, 36, faces charges for failing to share information about terrorism.
All three men pleaded not guilty. Importantly, the prosecution clarified that this alleged plot was unrelated to the Yom Kippur terror attack at a Manchester synagogue that left two Jewish worshipers dead earlier this month.
Escalating Threats of Antisemitic Terrorism
This case highlights the growing risk of ISIS-inspired antisemitic violence across Europe. In recent years, extremists have exploited political unrest and online propaganda to justify attacks against Jews.
As a result, British security agencies continue to intensify counter-terrorism efforts and to monitor radical networks online. Jewish communities, meanwhile, remain alert and are working closely with law enforcement to safeguard synagogues, schools, and communal institutions.
Ultimately, the Saadaoui case serves as a stark reminder that antisemitic hatred — whether spread online or armed with weapons — remains a lethal threat that must be confronted directly.
Take Action
CAM has launched Report It — a secure app to report antisemitic incidents anonymously and in real time. Don’t stay silent — download it today on the Apple Store or Google Play. See it. Report it. Stop it. Together, we can fight this hate.
