AS IT HAPPENED: UK must ‘defeat’ rising antisemitism, says Starmer - after two killed in terrorist attack on Manchester synagogue
Two victims died in the terror attack and four remain in a serious condition
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said Britain must defeat rising antisemitism as he condemned the fatal terror attack on a Manchester synagogue.
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Two men have died and three more are fighting for their lives following the attack, which was carried out on Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall shortly after 9.30am on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar - Yom Kippur.
The man who carried out the attack has been named by Greater Manchester Police as Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, a British citizen of Syrian descent.
The force said two men aged in their 30s and a woman in her 60s have been arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism connected to the incident.
Speaking following an emergency Cobra committee meeting in Downing Street, Sir Keir said "a vile individual committed a terrorist attack" earlier today.
He said the suspect "attacked Jews because they are Jews and attacked Britain because of our values".
Sir Keir added that Britain is a country that has welcomed Jewish communities and has provided refuge and a home.
But he said it is also a place where Jewish buildings require round-the-clock protection and specialist security is necessary "because of the daily threat of antisemitic hatred", Sir Keir added.
He said antisemitism is "rising once again" and said Britain must "defeat it once again".
In a message to the Jewish community, he said: "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."
The alleged attacker was shot dead by Greater Manchester Police and witnesses reported on Thursday afternoon that two men in handcuffs were seen being led away by officers.
Emergency service crews responded within minutes to reports that a security guard had been stabbed outside the synagogue, and that several members of the public were injured after a vehicle was driven into pedestrians.
The suspect did not gain access to the building and was shot dead at the scene by armed police.
The force said it had 'declared Plato' - the national code-word used by police and emergency services when responding to a 'marauding terror attack'.
Footage on social media showed armed police officers pointing guns at someone lying on the ground, while their colleagues screamed "he's got a bomb" to onlookers and told them to "get back".
Sir Keir Starmer flew home early from a meeting of European leaders to chair Cobra, telling reporters earlier that he was "appalled" by the attack, adding that armed police will guard synagogues around the country.
King Charles has led tributes, saying he and Queen Camilla are "deeply shocked and saddened" by the attack.
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Two men killed in attack named
Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, died in the attack, Greater Manchester Police said.
Speaking on Friday morning, Chief Superintendent David Meeney added: "People in North Manchester, Bury, Salford, within Jewish communities, and around synagogues can expect to see uniformed officers on patrol in vehicles and on foot throughout today, into this evening, and over the weekend.
"They are there to reassure you and, whilst they may not be able to answer questions about the investigation, they will be happy to reassure you about the actions we are taking to ensure communities are safe and feel safe.
"We are conscious of the significance of Fridays and Saturdays in the Jewish faith, and will be doing everything we can to help communities mark Shabbat with their families and friends as they wish."
Extra police officers deployed across Greater Manchester
Extra police officers have been deployed across Greater Manchester to "provide reassurance" following yesterday’s attack, Greater Manchester Police have said.
An increased police presence in the Crumpsall area is expected.
"The additional resources will provide a high visibility presence in North Manchester, Bury, and Salford, within Jewish communities, and around synagogues," the force said.
"There will also be increased visits to local places of worship."
Sir Ephraim Mirvis' post in full
In a post to X, the UK's chief rabbi expressed his sorrow at Thursday's events.
Sir Ephraim Mirvis wrote: "For so long we have witnessed an unrelenting wave of Jew hatred on our streets, on campuses, on social media and elsewhere - this is the tragic result.
"This is not only an assault on the Jewish community, but an attack on the very foundations of humanity and the values of compassion, dignity and respect which we all share."
He added: "May the victims' memories be for a blessing and may the injured be granted a swift recovery.
"I pray that this tragedy strengthens our collective resolve to confront antisemitism, in all its guises, once and for all."
Attack 'an attack on the very foundations of humanity', say Jewish leaders
Jewish leaders have been speaking out in the wake of the Thursday's attack, expressing their sorrow but also a certain sense of inevitability when it comes to the tragedy.
Speaking following the attack, the UK's chief Rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, said it was "the day we hoped we would never see".
He added that "deep down, we knew would come".
He went on to praise the "courageous leadership" of rabbi Daniel Walker.
Sir Ephraim Mirvis spoke out in the wake of thursday's attackSuspect's father was doctor
Reports suggest Al-Shamie's father is a doctor.
A Facebook profile of a Faraj Al-Shamie features numerous political posts about Syria and also includes a picture of a man, reported to be Jihad Al-Shamie, holding a baby in 2024 with the words "great welcome grandson".
Suspect appears lived in nearby Prestwich
He appears to have lived in Prestwich, around two miles from the scene.
His name is linked to a property in the town and a neighbour recognised his face from photographs of the synagogue attacker.
She told The Telegraph: "He lived there 10 years, with no wife or kids that I could see. He never seemed to speak to anyone around here."
She added: "I'd see him walking around in his pyjamas and slip-on sandals, carrying a shopping bag. "He was quite bulked up and used to keep his exercise weights in his garage. I'd see them there."
Al-Shamie not thought to have been under investigation or referred to Prevent
It is understood that Al-Shamie's name has not appeared in initial searches of police and security service records, and he is not thought to have been under investigation.
GMP said officers were "working to understand the motivation behind the attack" and confirmed the killer had not been referred to the Government's Prevent anti-radicalisation scheme.
Suspect came to UK as a child
It is understood the attack suspect Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, entered the UK as a young child and been granted British citizenship in 2006 when he was around the age of 16.
Antisemitism 'has no place in our society' - Holocaust Memorial Day Trust
Holocaust Memorial Day Trust chief executive, Olivia Marks-Woldman OBE said antisemitism "has no place in our society" and "we must confront it whenever it arises".
"We are horrified by today's antisemitic attack in Manchester. Taking place on Yom Kippur, a moment of atonement and reflection, it is a truly horrendous event," she said in a statement.
"Our thoughts are first and foremost with the victims and with the Jewish community in Manchester and across the UK, who will understandably feel shocked and afraid.
"At the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, we remember the devastating consequences of unchecked hatred. Our mission is to remember the darkest chapters of human history and to learn from the past to challenge prejudice today. That duty is all the more urgent in moments like this.
"Antisemitism is a pernicious hatred that has no place in our society. We must confront it wherever it arises, without hesitation and without compromise."