Home Secretary Condemns Pro-Gaza Protests After Deadly Manchester Synagogue Terror Attack

Home Secretary Urges Pro-Palestine Protesters to 'Step Back' After Manchester Synagogue Attack

Following a terror attack at a synagogue in Manchester on Thursday, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has called on pro-Palestine demonstrators to halt their protests. The attack, which occurred on Yom Kippur, Judaism's holiest day, resulted in the deaths of two men and sparked condemnation from across the political spectrum.

Condemnation of Protests and Calls for Solidarity

Shabana Mahmood expressed her disappointment at the pro-Gaza protests that proceeded in the wake of the attack, labeling them "fundamentally un-British" and "dishonourable." She urged protesters to "show some humanity" and allow the Jewish community time to grieve. "I think some humanity could have been shown. I am disappointed that humanity and solidarity wasn’t shown to our Jewish community," she stated to Sky News.

Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis echoed these sentiments, describing the attack as a "very dark time" and highlighting an "unrelenting wave of hatred against Jews." He questioned why marches in support of Palestine Action, a proscribed group, are allowed to take place, suggesting some contain "outright antisemitism."

Political Reactions and Debate Over Freedom of Protest

The Home Secretary's call for protests to be halted has ignited a debate about freedom of speech and the right to protest. Green Party leader Zack Polanski criticized Mahmood's stance as "deeply irresponsible," arguing that it conflates protests against a genocide in Gaza with an antisemitic attack. Similarly, Labour MP Kim Johnson stated the march should go ahead and “policing should prioritise public safety over silencing peaceful protest.”

However, Lord Walney, the government’s former adviser on political violence, supported Ms. Mahmood, stating she was “absolutely right”. The Metropolitan Police also raised concerns with the group Defend Our Juries, about the amount of police resources its planned protest would divert at a time when "visible reassurance and protective security" was needed.

Details of the Attack and Investigation

The attacker, identified as Jihad al-Shamie, a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent, was shot dead by police. Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, were killed after Shamie drove into a group of people outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue before stabbing a man. Ms Mahmood confirmed that al-Shamie was not previously known to police or referred to the Prevent program.

Three people have been arrested on suspicion of planning a terror attack in connection with the killings. Extra police officers have been deployed to provide a "high visibility" presence in Jewish communities across North Manchester, Bury, and Salford.

Calls for Reflection and Unity

As the investigation continues, Shabana Mahmood has urged protesters to "take a step back" and consider the impact of their actions on the grieving community. "Give people a chance to grieve. We can get back to our protest later. Just because you have a freedom, [it] doesn’t mean you have to use it," she said.