Manchester Synagogue Attack Kills Two on Yom Kippur amid Rising UK Anti-Semitism

A terror attack outside the Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester on Yom Kippur resulted in the deaths of two Jewish men and injured four others, with the attacker being shot dead by police. British Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis and Jewish leaders described the attack as the tragic culmination of rising antisemitism and Jew hatred in the UK, which has been increasingly evident on streets, campuses, and social media. Rabbi Daniel Walker was praised for his courageous leadership in preventing the attacker from entering the synagogue sanctuary. The Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester and other organizations condemned the attack as an assault not only on the Jewish community but on the values of humanity, citing the ongoing impact of tensions related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The incident reflects a broader pattern of increasing antisemitic incidents in the UK, with many Jewish people fearing such violence was inevitable given the escalation of anti-Jewish rhetoric and demonstrations in recent years. The attack has prompted calls for a collective resolve to confront antisemitism in all its forms to protect communities and uphold dignity and respect.