Manchester: A deadly stabbing and car-ramming attack outside a synagogue in north Manchester has left two people dead and four others injured, in what British authorities have described as a terrorist incident. The attack, which occurred on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, has sent shockwaves through the UK’s Jewish community and drawn strong condemnation from leaders at home and abroad.
Suspect identified
The suspect has been identified as Jihad al-Shamie, a British citizen of Syrian descent. According to reports from the Associated Press, al-Shamie entered the UK as a child and became a British citizen in 2006. Armed officers shot him dead at the scene after he ploughed a car into worshippers outside the synagogue and fatally stabbed two people.
The Greater Manchester Police said al-Shamie was wearing what appeared to be a suicide vest, but later confirmed the device was fake and no explosives were found.
Victims and arrests
Both victims were Jewish worshippers attending Yom Kippur services, while four others sustained injuries in the attack. Authorities are still working to confirm the identities of the victims.
In addition, police said three individuals, including a woman in her 60s, have been taken into custody on suspicion of “commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism.”
UK government response
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who cut short his trip to Denmark, returned to London to chair an emergency security meeting. In a video message, he vowed to combat rising antisemitism and promised to enhance protection for Jewish communities across Britain.
“This was an attack not just on innocent worshippers, but on the values of tolerance and safety that Britain stands for. We will do everything in our power to protect our Jewish citizens,” Starmer said. Security has since been tightened at synagogues and other Jewish institutions nationwide.
International reaction
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack, calling it “barbaric,” and said Israel grieves with the Jewish community in the UK.
The incident has been described as one of the worst antisemitic attacks in Europe since the October 7, 2023 Hamas assault on Israel, which triggered the Gaza conflict.
Antisemitism on the rise
The Community Security Trust (CST), a UK advocacy group that tracks antisemitism, recently reported record levels of incidents following the Gaza war. More than 1,500 antisemitic incidents were documented in the UK in the first half of 2025 alone, underscoring concerns about the safety of Britain’s Jewish community.
Suspect’s background
Initial checks revealed that al-Shamie was not part of the UK’s counter-terror programme designed to identify and intervene with individuals at risk of radicalisation. Authorities are investigating his motives, possible radical influences, and whether the attack was coordinated.
Conclusion
The Manchester synagogue attack has highlighted the persistent threat of extremist violence and the rising dangers posed by antisemitism in Europe. With communities still reeling, the government has pledged stronger measures to safeguard places of worship and restore confidence among Britain’s Jews.