Manchester Synagogue Attack Kills Two Amid Record UK Antisemitism Surge

A violent attack on the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Manchester, England, shocked the Jewish community and highlighted the sharp rise in antisemitic incidents in the UK following the October 2023 Hamas attacks and Israel's military response in Gaza. The attacker killed two worshippers and injured four others before being shot dead by police, marking the first deadly synagogue attack in Britain and intensifying fears across Jewish communities already on high alert. The incident occurred on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, adding to the shock and distress felt by worshippers, many of whom were initially unaware due to traditional phone-off observances. British police have increased patrols and urged caution, with security organizations warning against congregating outside Jewish communal places amid the ongoing threat. Community leaders described the attack as a tragic culmination of escalating antisemitism, which saw a 58% increase in incidents in the first half of 2025 compared to previous years. The attack has spurred calls for solidarity and heightened vigilance as Jewish communities grapple with a new level of fear and insecurity.