UK Police Identify Jewish Men Killed in Attack at Manchester Synagogue

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Two Jewish men killed during an attack on a Manchester synagogue have been named by UK police.

Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, died after a man allegedly drove a car into pedestrians and stabbed a security guard, in what police have declared a terrorist incident.

“My deepest sympathies are with Mr Daulby and Mr Cravitz’s loved ones at this extremely hard time,” detective chief superintendent Lewis Hughes, who’s coordinating the casualty response, said.

“Specially trained Family Liaison Officers are in contact with them. They will continue to update them on the investigation and support them throughout the coronial process.”

Greater Manchester Police said the suspect, who was wearing what appeared to be a vest with an explosive device, was shot dead after officers rushed to the scene at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue on Thursday.

A group of men wearing skullcaps comfort one another.

Members of the Jewish community comfort each other at the scene. Source: Getty / Christopher Furlong

Three others were injured in the attack, which took place on Yom Kippur, the most sacred day of the Jewish calendar.

A witness told BBC Radio he saw police shooting a man after a car crash.

“They give him a couple of warnings, he didn’t listen until they opened fire,” the witness said.

Another witness said the attacker had gone for the security guard and tried to break into the synagogue.

“The second he got out of the car he started stabbing anyone near him,” the witness told UK media.

Three other men remain in hospital with serious injuries, police said. One sustained a stab wound, and a second was struck by the car involved in the attack.

The third man later presented himself at hospital with an injury that he may have suffered as officers stopped the attacker.

Greater Manchester Police’s chief constable Stephen Watson said the attacker had been prevented from gaining access inside the synagogue, “thanks to the immediate bravery of security staff and the worshippers inside, as well as the fast response of police”.

After the attack, police were seen ushering about 30 mostly Jewish elderly men — some in tears, many looking shocked — and some young children away from the synagogue.

A bomb disposal unit was later called to the scene, and police confirmed the device that the suspect was wearing was not viable.

Britain’s most senior counter-terrorism officer, Laurence Taylor, said the attack had been declared a terrorist incident.

“Communities across the UK who would normally be marking this holy day are now grieving, and worried about their safety,” Taylor told reporters. “I want to be clear: UK policing is mobilising. And mobilising fast.”

On Friday morning AEST, Greater Manchester Police named the person it believes is responsible for the attack.

“Although formal identification is yet to take place, we believe the person responsible for today’s attacks is 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie. He is a British citizen of Syrian descent,” police said in a statement.

They also said three people had been arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism. The group included two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s.

Anthony Albanese, Sussan Ley condemn attack

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said all Australians stand with the UK following the attack.

“I send my condolences to the people of Manchester after the heinous attack on a synagogue on the most sacred day on the Jewish calendar,” he said in a statement on Friday.

“There is no place for terrorism in our streets,” Albanese said.

Opposition leader Sussan Ley expressed “grief and shock at the antisemitic terror attack” on behalf of the Coalition.

“Our thoughts are with the families of those who have been killed and injured in this cowardly, evil attack,” she said in a statement.

“All people, regardless of religion, have the right to worship in peace and should feel they can do so without fear or apprehension.”

UK PM says antisemitism ‘rising once again’

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who left a European summit in Copenhagen to chair an emergency meeting in London, promised to do everything he could to provide security to the Jewish community and deployed more police to synagogues.

Keir Starmer, standing at a podium in front of two British flags.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed solidarity with Jewish people on behalf of the country. Source: AAP / AP / James Manning

Starmer said antisemitism was “a hatred that is rising once again, and Britain must defeat it once again”.

“To every Jewish person in this country, I also want to say this: I know how much fear you will be holding inside of you, I really do. And so on behalf of our country, I express my solidarity, but also my sadness that you still have to live with these fears,” he said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned it as a “barbaric attack”, saying: “Israel grieves with the Jewish community in the UK.”

Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar accused UK authorities of failing to curb “rampant antisemitic and anti-Israeli incitement”.

King Charles said he and Queen Camilla were “deeply shocked and saddened”.

United Nations secretary-general António Guterres and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas were among the world leaders to condemn the attack.

“Houses of worship are sacred places where people can go to find peace,” Guterres said.

“Targeting a synagogue on Yom Kippur is particularly heinous.”