What We Know: Manchester Synagogue Attack Declared Terrorist Incident on Yom Kippur
In a brazen act of violence on the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, a man drove his car into worshippers outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester, before launching a knife attack that left two civilians dead and three seriously injured.
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| Greater Manchester Police; Image Source: Mario Nawfal |
We condemn the terror attack on the Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester, during Yom Kippur services today. It is particularly saddening that this heinous act was committed on the International Day of Non-violence.
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) October 2, 2025
This attack is yet another grim reminder of the challenge we…
The Embassy of Israel in the United Kingdom condems the attack carried out today on Yom Kippur at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester.
— Israel in the UK 🇮🇱🤝🇬🇧 (@IsraelinUK) October 2, 2025
That such an act of violence should be perpetrated on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, in a place of prayer and… pic.twitter.com/QL7mMn4ViP
The attack occurred at approximately 9:30 a.m. BST on Yom Kippur -- a day of atonement and reflection in Judaism -- when the synagogue was hosting its morning Shacharit service. Worshippers were just beginning prayers when the chaos erupted.
This morning's deadly attack outside a synagogue in Manchester, England on Yom Kippur is an appalling antisemitic atrocity. Canadians are holding the victims' loved ones and all those affected in our thoughts.
— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) October 2, 2025
Hate must be confronted in all of its forms and with all available…
Greater Manchester Police confirmed that the attacker drove into pedestrians before stabbing multiple individuals. Among the injured is a synagogue security guard.
Within minutes, Operation Plato -- a national emergency protocol for suspected terrorist incidents -- was declared. Armed response units shot the suspect after repeated warnings, according to eyewitnesses and verified video footage.
Officers described “suspicious items” on the man’s person, leading to a cautious delay in confirming his death. A bomb disposal unit was deployed, and a controlled explosion was later heard near the suspect’s vehicle.
We 🇸🇮 are profoundly shocked by the horrific attack on a synagogue in #Manchester 🇬🇧 on #YomKippur. We wish a full and speedy recovery to all those injured and extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, as well as to the entire Jewish… pic.twitter.com/e9mFjVB2zd
— MFEA Slovenia (@MZEZ_RS) October 2, 2025
As of Sunday evening, police have made two additional arrests. Investigators believe they have identified the attacker and are probing possible ideological or extremist motives.
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor of Counter-Terrorism Policing confirmed the ongoing investigation, stating, “This was a calculated act of terror targeting a place of worship on a sacred day.”
This morning's attack is absolutely shocking.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) October 2, 2025
I’m on my way back to London to chair an emergency meeting, and additional police assets are being deployed to synagogues across the country.
We will do everything we can to keep our Jewish community safe. pic.twitter.com/bNUfGbWwfq
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who cut short an international summit in Denmark, condemned the attack as “horrific and vile,” pledging increased protection for Jewish communities.
“Additional police assets are being deployed to synagogues across the country. We will do everything to keep our Jewish community safe,” Starmer said.
King Charles also issued a statement expressing shock and sorrow, calling the violence “deeply saddening.”
My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and the UK’s Jewish community after the violent attack on a synagogue in Manchester.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) October 2, 2025
While in Copenhagen, I conveyed my condolences to Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
That this attack took place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in…
Greater Manchester’s multi-faith communities expressed grief and defiance in the face of the violence. It is apparently a neighborhood where Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Muslims, and Jews live side by side. Jewish community members at the scene told reporters they had feared such an attack for some time.
I’m appalled by the attack at a synagogue in Crumpsall.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) October 2, 2025
The fact that this has taken place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes it all the more horrific.
My thoughts are with the loved ones of all those affected, and my thanks go to the emergency…
The fact that this attack occurred during Yom Kippur has amplified its psychological and symbolic impact, with faith leaders and community groups describing it as an assault not only on individuals but on a deeply sacred moment.
The UK’s Community Security Trust (CST), which monitors antisemitic threats, has been assisting police and urging vigilance.
MANCHESTER INCIDENT
— Workers Party of Britain (@WorkersPartyGB) October 2, 2025
It is heartbreaking to hear the news this morning of the attack at a synagogue in Manchester.
Several people injured in this tragic act. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims, the injured, and the entire community.
We stand in…
The suspect’s motivations remain under investigation, but the targeting of a synagogue during one of the most significant religious observances has raised immediate fears of a surge in hate-fueled extremism.
I strongly condemn the attack on the Manchester Synagogue on the holiest day for Jewish communites, Yom Kippur.
— Magnus Brunner (@magnusbrunner) October 2, 2025
Such atrocious acts of hate have no place in our societies and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.
Today I stand in solidarity with the victims,…
The UK, like much of Europe, has seen an uptick in antisemitic incidents in recent months amid heightened global tensions.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Mayor Andy Burnham are coordinating with national security agencies to manage the response and reassure communities.