This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czrpxgk6x68o
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Starmer condemns 'horrific' Manchester synagogue attack | Starmer condemns 'horrific' Manchester synagogue attack |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Starmer has left a summit in Denmark, where he is seen here, early to fly back to the UK and respond to the attack | Starmer has left a summit in Denmark, where he is seen here, early to fly back to the UK and respond to the attack |
| Sir Keir Starmer has condemned the "horrific" attack on a synagogue in Manchester in which two people have died. | Sir Keir Starmer has condemned the "horrific" attack on a synagogue in Manchester in which two people have died. |
| The prime minister said he was "appalled" by the car and stabbing attack at the Heaton Park Synagogue in Crumpsall, north Manchester, which took place at about 09:30 BST on Thursday. | The prime minister said he was "appalled" by the car and stabbing attack at the Heaton Park Synagogue in Crumpsall, north Manchester, which took place at about 09:30 BST on Thursday. |
| "The fact that this has taken place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes it all the more horrific," he said, as he thanked the emergency services and said his thoughts were with the families of those affected. | "The fact that this has taken place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes it all the more horrific," he said, as he thanked the emergency services and said his thoughts were with the families of those affected. |
| Many national figures and community leaders have issued statements as the gravity of what happened becomes clear. | Many national figures and community leaders have issued statements as the gravity of what happened becomes clear. |
| Greater Manchester Police said two people have died. A third person, a man thought to be the suspect, died after being shot by police. | Greater Manchester Police said two people have died. A third person, a man thought to be the suspect, died after being shot by police. |
| Three other members of the public remain in a serious condition. Police earlier said the injuries were a result of both the vehicle and stab wounds. | Three other members of the public remain in a serious condition. Police earlier said the injuries were a result of both the vehicle and stab wounds. |
| Sir Keir, who is flying back early from the European Political Community gathering in Copenhagen, Denmark, said "additional police assets" would be deployed at synagogues across the country. BBC News saw a heavy police presence outside a synagogue in central London on Thursday afternoon. | |
| "We will do everything to keep our Jewish community safe," he said. | "We will do everything to keep our Jewish community safe," he said. |
| King Charles III also said in a statement that he and Queen Camilla were "deeply shocked and saddened" to hear about the attack, "especially on such a significant day for the Jewish community". | King Charles III also said in a statement that he and Queen Camilla were "deeply shocked and saddened" to hear about the attack, "especially on such a significant day for the Jewish community". |
| "Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this appalling incident and we greatly appreciate the swift actions of the emergency services," the statement added. | "Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this appalling incident and we greatly appreciate the swift actions of the emergency services," the statement added. |
| The Israeli embassy in the UK said it was "in close contact" with the Manchester Jewish community, the authorities and Jewish charity the Community Security Trust (CST) to "ensure that the necessary support is provided". | The Israeli embassy in the UK said it was "in close contact" with the Manchester Jewish community, the authorities and Jewish charity the Community Security Trust (CST) to "ensure that the necessary support is provided". |
| In a statement, the embassy said: "That such an act of violence should be perpetrated on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, in a place of prayer and community, is abhorrent and deeply distressing." | In a statement, the embassy said: "That such an act of violence should be perpetrated on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, in a place of prayer and community, is abhorrent and deeply distressing." |
| It added: "The thoughts and prayers of the people of Israel are with the victims, their families, and the entire Jewish community at this difficult time." | It added: "The thoughts and prayers of the people of Israel are with the victims, their families, and the entire Jewish community at this difficult time." |
| Thanking the police and synagogue security for their response, the CST said it was an "appalling attack on the holiest day of the Jewish year" and it was working with the police and local Jewish community. | Thanking the police and synagogue security for their response, the CST said it was an "appalling attack on the holiest day of the Jewish year" and it was working with the police and local Jewish community. |
| Yom Kippur is a day of fasting and atonement and is believed to be the day God seals the fate of each person for the coming years. It is a day set aside for prayer and reflection, when work is forbidden and many attend synagogue services even if they do not do so regularly. | |
| Rabbi Jonathan Romain, emeritus rabbi of Maidenhead Synagogue, said "our worst fears have been realised" after two years of attempts to ensure that tensions in the Israel-Hamas war did not "spill over" to the UK. | |
| "This is every Rabbi's or every Jewish person's worst nightmare," he said. | |
| It was a sentiment echoed by Imam Qari Asim, co-chairman of the British Muslim Network, who said the scenes in Manchester had "no place in our society" and "antisemitism in all its forms is totally unacceptable". | |
| "The bloodshed and violence in the Middle East - which is excruciatingly painful to witness for all of us - must not be allowed to poison our streets in Britain," he said. | |
| Meanwhile, the Church of England's leader, Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, said he was praying that "all may live alongside each other in harmony and respect". | |
| The Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Rev Dr David Walker, said he feared an increase in divisive rhetoric recently in the UK and elsewhere in the world which should not be allowed "to get ahead of our humanity". | |
| He said "short-term political gain is no excuse for long-term damage to the fabric of our communities". | |
| Figures from across the political spectrum have condemned the attack. | |
| Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said on X: 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." | Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said on X: 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." |
| Alex Hearn, co-director of Labour Against Antisemitism, told BBC News: "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." | |
| But he said there was "a lot of anger" about what he said was "very little action" over anti-Jewish hate being allowed to "flourish" and "take root in institutions". He said synagogues and Jewish schools, including primary schools, have needed security "for a long time". | |
| Asked about the synagogue attack in Manchester, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch told the BBC it looks like "an outrageous attack on the Jewish community on their holiest day" - calling it "vile and disgusting". | Asked about the synagogue attack in Manchester, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch told the BBC it looks like "an outrageous attack on the Jewish community on their holiest day" - calling it "vile and disgusting". |
| Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said he was "horrified and appalled" and that his "thoughts are with the victims". | Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said he was "horrified and appalled" and that his "thoughts are with the victims". |
| Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said he was "horrified" and thinking of the Jewish community "who will be suffering at this time". | Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said he was "horrified" and thinking of the Jewish community "who will be suffering at this time". |
| Green Party leader Zack Polanski said "so many of us are feeling the horrific scenes today that all come at a time of rising antisemitism", having himself "grew up and attended a synagogue in north Manchester". | Green Party leader Zack Polanski said "so many of us are feeling the horrific scenes today that all come at a time of rising antisemitism", having himself "grew up and attended a synagogue in north Manchester". |