A man was stabbed outside a synagogue in Manchester, England, on Thursday during morning prayers for the Jewish Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur. The suspect, identified as 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie, was fatally shot by police, who also killed him before he could cause any more harm.
The attack occurred around 9:30 a.m., about half an hour after services began at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue. The suspect allegedly rammed victims with his car and stabbed others with a knife. Despite not entering the synagogue, Al-Shamie was killed by police on the street within seven minutes of the initial call.
Police have arrested three suspects in connection with the attack, including two men and one woman, all in their 30s and 60s. The motive behind the attack is still unclear, but authorities believe it may be linked to rising antisemitic attacks in the UK.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the attack as “horrific” and said it was particularly devastating on Yom Kippur, a day of atonement for the Jewish community. The police presence around the synagogue remained heavy after the attack, with a helicopter patrolling overhead.
The incident has sparked outrage among the Jewish community in Manchester and across the UK, with many calling for increased security measures at synagogues. In recent years, there have been several incidents of antisemitic violence in the UK, including a deadly attack on a synagogue in Germany last year.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/10/02/synagogue-stabbing-manchester-yom-kippur