Manchester synagogue killer named, as police arrest third terror suspect

Acknowledging the rising antisemitism, he addressed Jewish people directly in a televised media statement that said Britain had to defeat the hatred against Jews as it had done before.

“I promise you that I will do everything in my power to guarantee you the security that you deserve, starting with a more visible police presence, protecting your community,” he said.

King Charles III said he and Queen Camilla were “deeply shocked and saddened” by the attack “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 King said on his social media feed.

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Jewish leaders praised the rapid response by local police, who stopped the suspect within seven minutes of being called, but expressed dismay at rising antisemitism and called on political leaders to do more to stop the hatred and violence.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel grieved with the Jewish community in the UK, while warning: “Weakness in the face of terrorism only brings more terrorism. Only strength and unity can defeat it.”

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has called on the Starmer government to “curb this toxic wave of antisemitism” in the UK.

“The authorities in Britain have failed to take the necessary action to curb this toxic wave of antisemitism and have effectively allowed it to persist,” he said.

“We expect more than words from the Starmer government. We expect and demand a change of course, effective action, and enforcement against the rampant antisemitic and anti-Israeli incitement in Britain.”

Marc Levy, the chief executive of the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester, said the country had to do more to stop foreign conflicts being imported onto British streets.

He said the attack showed what it meant when protesters used phrases like “globalising the intifada” – a reference to Palestinian uprising against Israel.

“Unfortunately, at this time, we have seen a surge in hate crime, and we have been warning about this for a considerable period of time,” he told the BBC.

“And there has been precious little solidarity and support from many in wider society who seem to dismiss anti-Jewish racism as some second-class form of racism.”

Dame Louise Ellman, a vice-president of the Jewish Leadership Council and a former Labour MP, said there had been rising concern about antisemitism and a fear that an attack would occur.

“It’s an issue for the Jewish community, it’s also an issue for the whole of society,” she said. “What are we going to do to stop hate speech? We want freedom of speech, yes, but it should not spill into hatred.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese offered his condolences to the people of Manchester after the “heinous attack”, saying “there is no place for terrorism in our streets and all Australians stand with the UK at this dreadful time”.

Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie called the attack “absolutely appalling and vile” and criticised Albanese’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state, while Opposition Leader Sussan Ley vowed to continue to hold the government to account to address increased risks to the Australian Jewish community.

Witnesses to the Manchester attack described seeing a car mount the pavement and ram an individual outside the synagogue, in what they thought was an accident. They then saw a man get out of the vehicle, wielding a knife and stabbing those nearby to gain entry to the building.

In one video shared on social media showing the aftermath of the attack, police urge bystanders to move back, while a suspect lies on the ground next to the synagogue wall. A policeman warns that the suspect has a bomb. When the man attempts to get up, he is shot.

“The guy had a knife, and he was just stabbing the window trying to get in,” said one witness, Gareth, to the BBC.

Police were called at 9.31am and stopped the attack by 9.38am.

Police confirmed the two people killed were Jewish. Authorities were working to formally identify them and determine the motive for the attack.

At least three people were hospitalised in serious condition, officials said. One person sustained a stab wound while a second was struck by the car involved in the attack. A third person arrived at a hospital with an injury that may have been sustained as officers stopped the attacker. A fourth injured person was taken to the hospital, but their injuries and condition were not available.

The synagogue is in the northern Manchester suburb of Crumpsall, where Jewish and Muslim communities live side-by-side. Manchester has 25,000 Jews, the largest community in Britain outside London.

Police cordoned off homes in parts of Manchester while they investigated the suspects they believed assisted al-Shamie.

The Greater Manchester Police said those inside the synagogue had helped to stop the attacker alongside security volunteers who managed to close the building and prevent him from entering.

“Thanks to the immediate bravery of security staff and the worshippers inside as well as the fast response of the police, the attacker was prevented from gaining access,” said the police chief, Sir Stephen Watson.

The police called a bomb disposal unit but later said the suspect did not have a “viable” explosive.

Just hours after the attack, thousands of people waving Palestinian flags gathered in central London. They were responding to an earlier call to protest against the arrest of activist Greta Thunberg after Israeli forces intercepted a flotilla of more than 40 vessels seeking to land in Gaza to deliver aid and show support for the Palestinian cause.

Violent clashes broke out between pro-Palestinian protesters and police outside the gates of Downing Street.

Manchester was the site of Britain’s deadliest attack in recent years, the 2017 suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande concert that killed 22 people.

With AP