Manchester was shaken on Thursday morning when a deadly attack unfolded outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall during Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. At least two people were killed and several others were injured after a car plowed toward worshippers before the assailant allegedly carried out a stabbing spree. Police later confirmed that firearms officers shot the suspected attacker within minutes of the incident.
Authorities said they received an emergency call at around 9:31 a.m. reporting a vehicle striking pedestrians near the synagogue entrance. Moments later, witnesses described scenes of chaos as the attacker exited the car and stabbed people gathered for the morning service. By 9:38 a.m., armed units had confronted the suspect and opened fire. The man is believed to be dead, but officials have withheld confirmation while bomb disposal experts examined suspicious items found on his body.
The attack left at least three people in critical condition, with hospitals across Manchester placed on high alert. Emergency services declared a “major incident” and activated Operation Plato, a contingency plan reserved for potential marauding terrorist assaults. Roads surrounding the synagogue were sealed off, and residents were urged to avoid the area.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the incident “absolutely shocking,” noting that the timing on Yom Kippur made it especially devastating for the Jewish community. He cut short an overseas trip and convened a COBRA emergency meeting in London to assess the situation. Security was also tightened around synagogues and other Jewish institutions nationwide, with additional police patrols deployed in London and other major cities.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, along with leaders from across Europe, condemned the violence. Jewish community organizations described the attack as one of the gravest assaults on British Jews in recent years and called for urgent measures to combat antisemitism. “This was not just an attack on a synagogue, but an attack on faith, peace, and community itself,” one senior community leader said.
The motive for the attack has not been officially confirmed. Counterterrorism police, supported by MI5, have taken over the investigation and are examining whether the suspect acted alone or was part of a wider network. Investigators are also scrutinizing digital records and communications to establish any links to extremist groups.
Eyewitnesses said panic spread quickly inside the synagogue as word of the attack reached worshippers. Some people were evacuated while others sheltered in place until police secured the area. One survivor described hearing “screams and shouts” followed by the sound of gunfire as officers confronted the attacker.
The incident comes amid heightened global tensions and a marked increase in antisemitic incidents across the UK. Recent months have seen synagogues and Jewish schools placed under tighter security as community leaders warned of rising hostility linked to international conflicts. Thursday’s assault has now intensified calls for stronger protections and more robust counterterrorism measures.
Inside Israel and among Jewish communities worldwide, the attack has been widely condemned. Israeli officials expressed solidarity with British Jews, calling the violence “a tragic reminder of the dangers Jewish communities face daily.” Palestinian officials have not commented, though some analysts suggested the timing may have been influenced by ongoing unrest in the Middle East.
Local politicians in Manchester also voiced alarm. Mayor Andy Burnham said the city would stand with the Jewish community “against hatred and terror,” while urging residents to remain calm as investigations continue. He described the attack as “an assault on Manchester itself.”
As forensic teams worked late into the night, police maintained a heavy presence around the synagogue and surrounding neighborhoods. Worshippers were advised to avoid communal gatherings until security assessments are complete.
For many, the attack evoked painful memories of previous assaults on Jewish places of worship in Europe, including deadly shootings in France, Belgium, and Germany. Analysts warn that such incidents may inspire copycat attacks unless preventive steps are taken swiftly.
Though officials urged caution in drawing conclusions, the symbolic choice of Yom Kippur has led many to view the attack as a deliberate strike at the heart of Jewish life. “This was not random,” said one counterterrorism expert. “The attacker knew when and where to maximize harm.”
The coming days are expected to bring further clarity as investigators release more details. For now, the image of armed officers surrounding a synagogue on the holiest day of the Jewish year stands as a grim reminder of the persistent threat of extremist violence.
