Greater Manchester Police have named the suspect in the terrorist attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation as Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, a British citizen. Two people were killed and three injured in the incident, which occurred on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur. Three other individuals remain in custody on charges of preparing acts of terrorism.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council expressed devastation at the loss, stating the attack 'was sadly something we feared was coming' amid rising antisemitism in the UK. They urged the Jewish community to follow security guidance from the Community Security Trust (CST) and police.
CST chief executive Mark Gardner praised the courage of security personnel and congregants whose quick actions prevented further casualties. He pledged to strengthen protection for Jewish communities across the UK. Investigators believe the attacker was a naturalised British citizen with a last known address in Manchester.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited a synagogue following the attack, and Manchester city council leader Bev Craig said the incident would leave a 'deep mark' on the community. The president of the Conference of European Rabbis, Pinchas Goldschmidt, called on governments to 'stamp out murderous ideologies' and ensure Jewish safety.
