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Two Jewish worshipers were murdered and three others seriously wounded in a ramming and stabbing attack outside a synagogue in Manchester, England, during Yom Kippur services on Thursday morning.
The terrorist — 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie, a British citizen of Syrian descent — was shot dead by police responding to the scene in front of Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation, an Orthodox shul located in Crumpsall neighborhood of North Manchester.
Three other suspects, including two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s, have been arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism, the Greater Manchester Police said.
According to media reports, the attack began when Al-Shamie slammed his car into pedestrian next to the synagogue. He then exited his vehicle and attempted to enter the crowded building, but was thwarted from doing so by security guards and Rabbi Daniel Walker, who quickly locked and blocked the front doors, preventing an even greater tragedy.
Al-Shamie used a knife in the attack and was also wearing what appeared to be an explosives belt, which was later determined to be fake.
The victims were named on Friday as Melvin Cravitz, 66, and Adrian Daubly, 53.
We are absolutely HORRIFIED by the attack in Manchester.
Attacking Jews on the holiest day of the year is beyond monstrous.
We will keep fighting antisemitism every single day. pic.twitter.com/FJBRPHekZj
— Combat Antisemitism Movement (@CombatASemitism) October 2, 2025
British Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said, “This is the day we hoped we would never see, but which deep down, we knew would come. For so long we have witnessed an unrelenting wave of Jew hatred on our streets, on campuses, on social media and elsewhere — this is the tragic result. This not only an assault on the Jewish community, but an attack on the very foundations of humanity and the values of compassion, dignity and respect which we all share.”
Our hearts are shattered.
Emerging from the holy fast of Yom Kippur, British Jews are now grasping the full extent of today’s terror attack at the Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester.
This is the day we hoped we would never see, but which deep down, we knew would come.
For…
— Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis (@chiefrabbi) October 2, 2025
The Board of Deputies of British Jews and Jewish Leadership Council issued a joint statement, saying, “We are devastated at the loss of two members of our Jewish community, and our thoughts are with their families, those who are injured and receiving treatment, and all those who have been affected by this act of antisemitic terror.”
“Our communal organizations are working in close coordination with one another and with all relevant authorities including government and police,” the statement noted.
A joint statement on the horrific attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation in Manchester today pic.twitter.com/RdCZM06lVT
— Board of Deputies of British Jews (@BoardofDeputies) October 2, 2025
The Community Security Trust (CST) said, “Everyone at CST is utterly appalled by the attack at Heaton Park Synagogue this morning and we are devastated by the news that two people were killed and three others seriously injured by the attacker. Our thoughts are with those directly affected, their families and the wider community. That this occurred on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year, only emphasizes the shocking impact it will have on the Jewish community. We want to pay tribute to the security guards at the synagogue and the police officers who responded so swiftly to the attack.”
UPDATE:
Everyone at CST is utterly appalled by the attack at Heaton Park Synagogue this morning and we are devastated by the news that two people were killed and three others seriously injured by the attacker. Our thoughts are with those directly affected, their families and the…— CST (@CST_UK) October 2, 2025
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated, “This was a vile terrorist attack that attacked Jews, because they are Jews. Antisemitism is a hatred that is rising, once again. Britain must defeat it, once again. To every Jewish person in this country: I promise that I will do everything in my power to guarantee you the security you deserve.”
This was a vile terrorist attack that attacked Jews, because they are Jews.
Antisemitism is a hatred that is rising, once again. Britain must defeat it, once again.
To every Jewish person in this country: I promise that I will do everything in my power to guarantee you the… pic.twitter.com/DAd9OaGNMc
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) October 2, 2025
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said, “Today we have witnessed a vile attack on our Jewish community on its holiest day. We condemn whoever is responsible and will do everything within our power to keep people safe. We stand with Greater Manchester’s Jewish community at this time and will work through the day to support them.”
Today we have witnessed a vile attack on our Jewish community on its holiest day.
We condemn whoever is responsible and will do everything within our power to keep people safe.
We stand with GM’s Jewish community at this time and will work through the day to support them. 🙏🏻
— Andy Burnham (@AndyBurnhamGM) October 2, 2025
Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) CEO Sacha Roytman commented, “England and much of Europe are experiencing their darkest moment in recent memory. This is an emergency situation — Jewish communities are being threatened and attacked on a daily basis. We demand decision makers and law enforcement authorities at every level take a stand and fight rising antisemitism with all necessary means.”
“The writing was on the wall,” Roytman added. “When the British prime minister awards terrorists and recognizes a Palestinian state despite October 7th and the hostages who’ve yet to return home, it was only a matter of time until the UK Jewish community would be targeted by murderous antisemitic violence.”
When you let antisemitism grow and reward those who spread it, don’t be shocked when it ends in blood. Today on Yom Kippur, two Jews were murdered in Manchester. pic.twitter.com/D6sqhEBxA2
— Sacha Roytman (@SachaRoytman) October 2, 2025
