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Jewish community in harder position than immediately after synagogue attack, says rabbi
Rabbi Daniel Walker said rising antisemitism and a lack of action have left the congregation feeling more vulnerable despite increased security.
On Monday, the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation held a memorial service for victims of the October 2, 2025, synagogue attack. Rabbi Daniel Walker said the community feels "almost in a harder position than we were even immediately after the attack."
Jihad Al-Shamie stormed the synagogue on Yom Kippur, October 2, 2025, killing Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby as they defended the place of worship; three others were injured during the attack.
Violent hate crimes targeting Jewish people have risen by nearly two-thirds since 2022 across 33 police forces, according to BBC Freedom data. Manchester recorded 150 antisemitic hate crimes in the first seven months of 2026.
Police deployed a massive operation for the memorial comparable to major football matches, yet survivor Bernard Agyemang said authorities have not "really any evidence of anyone dealing with the core problems."
Cabinet minister Angela Rayner pledged the government would "not allow hatred to drive people from their communities," while suspect Hekmet Omar Ali Hakim was remanded into custody on August 21 for failing to disclose information about the attack.