Barnet (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Barnet Council leader Barry Rawlings has condemned the “despicable and cowardly” attack on Jewish worshippers at a Manchester synagogue on the holiest day.
During Yom Kippur, a suspected terror incident outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester, left two people dead and three more gravely injured.
Councillor Barry Rawlings, leader of Barnet Council, said:
“I speak for the council and the people of Barnet in condemning this despicable and cowardly attack on Jewish worshippers, on Yom Kippur, the holiest of holy days.
We send our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those killed and injured today. This was an attack on all members of Jewish communities and we stand firmly with them in sympathy and defiance.
We cannot allow hate to triumph by stepping to one side.
We will continue to work with our partners in local Jewish communities, the Community Security Trust, Shomrim and the Police to do all we can to help residents live safely and freely.”
Following a car crash into pedestrians and a stabbing outside the synagogue, Greater Manchester Police stated that armed officers had shot and killed a man.
At 9.38 a.m., armed cops opened fire.
According to the force, following concerns that the suspect might have had an explosive device, a bomb disposal squad was sent to the scene.
The incident was “appalled” by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who also stated that “additional police assets” would be sent to synagogues throughout the nation.
The monarchs stated that they were “deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the horrific attack in Manchester, especially on such a significant day for the Jewish community.”
According to Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, one of the casualties seemed to be a security guard who had been stabbed.
One neighbor, who claimed to be a devout Jew, stated:
“As soon as the suspect got out of the car he started stabbing anyone near him.”
The attack happened on Yom Kippur, the Jewish calendar’s holiest day, when synagogues are typically especially crowded.
Which local Jewish groups have responded to the condemnation?
The Board of Deputies of British Jews, as one of the principal representative bodies in the UK, joined in expressing deep shock and outrage over the attack, characterizing it as an act of terrorism and hateful toward worshippers on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.
The Community Security Trust has warned heightened protection for houses of worship needs to be invoked with increased vigilance against the threats of growing antisemitic violence toward the Jewish community.
The Jewish Leadership Council reinforced the call for communal unity to take a firm stand against hatred and fraud; it further asserted a mild rejection of antisemitism and other bigotry.