Two people have been killed, with three others in serious condition, after a car and stabbing attack at a synagogue in Manchester. At 9:31 local time, police received reports of a car being driven at members of the public outside Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation, an Orthodox synagogue in north Manchester. Reports also indicated that a man had been stabbed.
Shortly afterwards, police officers opened fire on the suspect, believing they had killed him, but were unable to confirm his condition as he was thought to have "suspicious items on his person". Several hours later, a large controlled explosion was carried out by officers at the scene.
The UK is currently experiencing an epidemic of antisemitic attacks. 2023 saw the highest number of recorded incidents, with 2024 close behind. In 2024, attacks against Jews accounted for 33.64 per cent of all religious hate crimes, despite Jews making up just 0.46 per cent of the population.
There have also been high-profile displays of antisemitism. At the 2025 Glastonbury Festival, a punk duo called Bob Vylan led the crowd in chanting "Death to the IDF". The indictment for inciting hatred against the Jewish race had almost immediate consequences: the following day saw the highest daily number of antisemitic incidents recorded in the UK during the first half of the year.
Large crowds had gathered at the synagogue to mark Yom Kippur, a day of atonement and repentance and the holiest in the Jewish calendar. It falls on the 10th day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei, usually in September or October, and marks the culmination of the Ten Days of Repentance, which begin with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.
Commenting on the attack, the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “I’m appalled by the attack at a synagogue in Crumpsall. The fact that this has taken place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes it all the more horrific. My thoughts are with the loved ones of all those affected, and my thanks go to the emergency services and all the first responders.”
(Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
.jpg)
