This hatred ‘must not be tolerated’ – Cardinal Nichols, Andy Burnham and others on synagogue terror attack

Archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Vincent Nichols was among faith and political leaders worldwide who expressed shock and horror at the Manchester Yom Kippur attack.

Cardinal Nichols assured the Jewish community of his prayers after the terror attack on the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester.

“The killing of two Jewish worshippers, the injuries inflicted on others, and the attempt to drive a car into a crowd in Manchester today are expressions of utter hatred that must not be tolerated in this land. That such an attack is directed at the Jewish community, and on Yom Kippur, this most solemn of days, shocks me to the core.

“Jewish and Christian people are closely bound together in our common faith in God. Indeed, in the Catholic tradition, Jewish people are held to be the ‘elder brothers’ in faith of our Christian family. My prayers, and those of the Catholic community, are heartfelt and profound: for those who have died, the bereaved, the injured, and those who will feel less safe tonight.

“It is a duty of us all to work together to ensure a more cohesive and respectful society, one in which such violence and inhumanity have no place.”

Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said, “This was a vile terrorist attack that attacked Jews, because they are Jews. Antisemitism is a hatred that is rising, once again. Britain must defeat it, once again.” The fact that this had taken place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, made it all the more horrific, he added, praising those at the synagogue managed to keep the terrorist outside the building and “no doubt whatsoever prevented an even greater tragedy”. Rabbi Daniel Walker managed to keep the attacker out by barricading the doors.

Bishop of Salford John Arnold said, “The local Catholic community stand united in our prayers for the Jewish community following the tragic attack on a synagogue in Manchester, especially on this sacred day of Yom Kippur. We condemn such acts and pray for those who have died, the injured, emergency responders, and all affected. Let us work together in hope to strengthen our community solidarity. We must remain united in our common beliefs against those who sow hatred and division. We also pray for peace and tolerance around the UK and the world.”

Bishop of Nottingham Patrick McKinney, lead bishop for interreligious dialogue, said, “I was deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the vicious attack, on this most holiest of days in the Jewish calendar, outside the Manchester Synagogue which resulted in deaths, injuries and such deep distress upon those gathering there for prayer. On behalf of Catholics throughout the Diocese of Nottingham, I pledge our prayerful support for all families affected and for all our Jewish brothers and sisters at this most difficult of times.”

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said, “Our first thoughts are with the families of those people who died, those injured and those traumatised by this, an horrific antisemitic attack on our Jewish friends and neighbours. We condemn it outright.”

The terrorist, who drove his car into people outside the synagogue yesterday morning and then got out of the car and stabbed people with a knife, was named as Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, a British man who came to this country from Syria as a child. He was shot dead by police. This morning, three people were arrested in connection with the attack.

King Charles III said he and Queen Camilla were “deeply shocked and saddened” by the attack, especially on on such a significant day for the Jewish community. “Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this appalling incident and we greatly appreciate the swift actions of the emergency services,” he said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “Our hearts are with the families of the murdered, and we pray for the swift recovery of the wounded. As I warned at the UN: weakness in the face of terrorism only brings more terrorism. Only strength and unity can defeat it.”

Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar accused the UK government of failing to curb “rampant antisemitic and anti-Israeli incitement in Britain” and said Israel expects more than words from Starmer’s government.

President of the Conference of European Rabbis, Pinchas Goldschmidt, called for more to be done to “stamp out murderous ideologies” following the attack. “Jews in Manchester, England, woke up this morning to pray, and were murdered in their own synagogue.”

Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis said the incident was “the day we hoped we would never see, but which deep down, we knew would come” and described the attack was the tragic result of an “unrelenting wave of Jew hatred on our streets, campuses, on social media and elsewhere. Our hearts are shattered.”

The Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council said: “We are devastated at the loss of two members of our Jewish community, and our thoughts are with their families, those who are injured and receiving treatment, and all those who have been affected by this act of antisemitic terror.”

Imam Qari Asim, co-chairman of the British Muslim Network, said such attacks had no place in our society. “The bloodshed and violence in the Middle East, which is excruciatingly painful to witness for all of us, must not be allowed to poison our streets in Britain.”

Rev’d Clare Downing, moderator of the United Reformed Church north western synod, has endorsed a statement made by Greater Manchester faith leaders and issued by Manjari Patel and the Rev’d Ian Rutherford, panel co-chairs of Greater Manchester Faith and Belief Advisory Panel.  They said, “We stand in solidarity with the local Jewish community following a serious incident at a synagogue in north Manchester. This is an appalling attack on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year. We pray for the wider Jewish community who are understandably in shock. Today and every other day the faith communities in Greater Manchester actively stand together against hate and with our diverse communities.”

Rev’d Rosie Frew, moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, said, “The Church of Scotland stands in deep sorrow and solidarity with our Jewish neighbours following today’s abhorrent attack on the Jewish community in Manchester. That such violence should take place on Yom Kippur – the holiest day of the Jewish year – is particularly grievous. Yom Kippur is a time when Jewish people seek reconciliation with God and with one another, and yet this sacred day has been marred by fear and cruelty.

“We recognise the profound anxiety and vulnerability this act will bring not only to the Jewish community in Manchester, but to Jewish people across the United Kingdom and beyond. No one should feel unsafe in their place of worship or in the practice of their faith.

“As the full extent of injuries and harm continues to unfold, our heartfelt prayers are with all those who are suffering. In particular, we hold in prayer the families and friends of those whose lives have been lost, asking that they may know comfort and strength in their grief.”

Charity Commission chief executive David Holdsworth, said: “Our thoughts are with those directly affected, and the wider Jewish community, after this abhorrent attack on a holy day. This attack is all the more abhorrent as it targeted people of faith and those serving in a charity simply for attending their place of worship. Violence and hatred have no place in our communities and society. Violence can never be justified and can never be excused. Charities are at the heart of communities across the country improving millions of lives daily. We as the regulator will robustly defend their right to do so and stand ready to support charities as they do what they do best – bring communities together, protect society’s most vulnerable and work to make our country and world a better place.”

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