Greater Manchester's top police officer has pledged that his force will 'exercise every sinew' to protect the Jewish community, one year on from the Heaton Park synagogue attack.
Melvin Cravitz, 66, and Adrian Daulby, 53, were among worshippers who attended the synagogue on Middleton Road to mark Yom Kippur on October 2 last year. The pair never returned home. Terrorist Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, drove into the synagogue gates before attacking people with a knife, while wearing a fake suicide belt.
Mr Cravitz died from multiple stab wounds, while Mr Daulby was hit by a stray police bullet while blocking the doors to prevent the attacker from entering the synagogue. Al-Shamie was shot dead by police at the scene.
Chief constable's tribute on anniversary
In a video to mark the anniversary, Greater Manchester Police chief constable Sir Stephen Watson paid tribute to the region's Jewish community, who he said live 'fearful that others would seek to do them harm' simply for who they are. He promised to stand by the community for 'as long as it takes' to keep them safe.
Sir Stephen said: "Today marks the anniversary of the Yom Kippur terrorist attack at the Heaton Park synagogue. Today we particularly commemorate, with great respect, those who lost their lives, Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby."
He added: "And we also reflect upon the enduring harms that are still borne - predominantly by our Jewish community, who in seeking to go about their everyday lives in our country, find themselves in a place of being fearful that others would seek to do them harm for no better reason than their merely being Jewish."
Ongoing commitment to safeguarding
Sir Stephen said: "That is why so much has happened since that dreadful day. It's why so much continues, and it is why GMP continues to do all that it is currently doing to safeguard our communities."
He continued: "We are passionate in GMP in safeguarding the life of all who live within our city region. But particularly, in this circumstance, our Jewish community, who continue to face a threat that is not shared by anybody else in our community.
"Our people continue to exercise every sinew in their defence. We continue and are committed to their defence and will remain so for as long as it takes to ensure that those who would seek to do harm to innocents are brought to justice and prevented in their endeavours."
Call for acts of kindness
Earlier this week, the family of Mr Cravitz called for people to mark the first anniversary with acts of kindness. His family said they and his friends always described Mr Cravitz as a 'mensch' - a Yiddish word for a person of decency who shows up and takes responsibility for those around them.
Mr Cravitz's stepdaughter, Sherelle Dresner, wants October 2 to become National Mensch Day. She is setting up a charity, Mensch Like Melvin, to create a lasting legacy.
She said: "Being a mensch transcends religion, background, and identity. It just means being a good person. It can be checking on a neighbour, holding a door for someone struggling, volunteering your time for someone - something that is right, kind, and decent. Anyone can be a mensch. On October 2, in memory of Adrian and Melvin, please be one."
