What we covered here
• A car ramming and stabbing attack outside a synagogue in the northern UK city of Manchester left two members of the Jewish community dead and three others hospitalized, according to police.
• It took place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
• The suspected attacker, who was named by police as Jihad Al-Shamie, a British citizen of Syrian descent, is also dead after being shot by officers.
• The attack was declared a “terrorist incident.” Two people have been arrested in connection with the attack, police said, without offering further information.
Our live coverage of the Manchester synagogue attack has ended. You can find our latest reporting here.
Two UK-based Jewish organizations say synagogue attack was “something we feared was coming”
Two prominent Jewish organizations in the UK have said that today’s attack at a synagogue “was sadly something we feared was coming.”
The organizations said they were “devastated” at the loss of two members of the Jewish community.
“At a time of rising antisemitism in the UK, this attack was sadly something we feared was coming,” the joint statement said.
“We call on all those in positions of power and influence to take the required action to combat hatred against Jewish people, and will be working with the authorities on a series of additional measures to protect our community over the coming days,” it added.
WATCH: Video obtained by CNN shows Manchester police arresting two men
Video obtained by CNN shows police arresting two men less than a quarter of a mile from a synagogue which was attacked in Manchester Thursday.
In the video, several police vehicles can be seen parked along a quiet residential street in the northern English city. One individual is escorted out of a house handcuffed by a police officer whilst another person is seen standing on the street handcuffed.
Police said earlier they had arrested three people, two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s, “on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism.”
The suspected synagogue attacker died after being shot by officers at the scene. The attack, which killed at least two people and seriously injured several others, has prompted outcry, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer calling it a “horrific” incident which targeted “Jews because they are Jews.”
Police say three people remain in hospital with serious injuries following synagogue attack
More now from UK counter-terrorism police, who said Thursday they are working to “formally identify” two men who died following today’s Manchester synagogue attack in northern England, and three other men “remain in hospital with serious injuries.”
Police added that a third man also “presented himself” at a hospital with “an injury that may have been sustained as officers stopped the attacker.”
“We are working to formally identify those who have tragically been killed and provide support to their loved ones,” police added.
UK counter-terror police name Manchester synagogue attack suspect
UK counter-terrorism police has named the suspect behind today’s attack on a Manchester synagogue as 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie, a British citizen of Syrian descent, although “formal identification is yet to take place.”
Police said that Al-Shamie had not been referred to the UK Home Office’s Prevent program, according to the information currently available. The program is a central plank of Britain’s strategy to combat terrorism.
Police added that three suspects are currently in custody and have been arrested “on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism.” The three individuals in custody are two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s, police said.
Remember: Greater Manchester Police confirmed earlier that the suspect in the fatal attack is dead, after being shot by armed officers.
Device worn by suspected attacker “wasn’t viable,” police tell CNN
Police have confirmed to CNN that a device worn by the suspected attacker during today’s deadly synagogue incident in Manchester, northern England, “wasn’t viable.”
Remember: Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson said earlier that the suspect was wearing a vest “which had the appearance of an explosive device.”
"Israel grieves with the Jewish community,” Netanyahu says after Manchester synagogue attack
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel “grieves with the Jewish community in the UK” after today’s synagogue attack in Manchester, northern England.
“Weakness in the face of terrorism only brings more terrorism. Only strength and unity can defeat it,” Netanyahu concluded.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog “expressed his heartfelt sorrow” in a call with Mark Adlestone, Chair of the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester, according to the president’s spokesperson.
Earlier this week, Herzog sent a letter to Britain’s King Charles III to express his “deep concern about the rising antisemitism in the UK… and stressed the urgency of combating the rise in hatred against Jews,” the spokesperson said.
Herzog expressed his confidence that the King’s leadership will “serve as a source of comfort and encouragement for Jewish communities across the Commonwealth and around the world.”
What we know about the deadly synagogue attack on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar
Two members of the Jewish community are dead and four others are in the hospital as police investigate the “terrorist incident” outside a synagogue in Manchester.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the attacker targeted “Jews because they are Jews.”
Here’s what we know so far:
- The attack: The car ramming and stabbing attack at a synagogue happened on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. The Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue is located in Crumpsall, just north of Manchester. The synagogue had a morning prayer service scheduled this morning at the time of the attack, its website shows.
- The suspect: The suspected assailant is dead after being shot by armed officers, according to police. Officials said they know the identity of the suspect, but are not sharing it publicly right now. Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson said the attacker was wearing a vest “which had the appearance of an explosive device.”
- The response: A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson commended the quick response of a civilian who reported the incident. Watson said the suspect was shot dead within 10 minutes of police receiving an emergency call. He said due to the bravery of worshippers and staff at the synagogue, as well as the police response time, the suspect wasn’t able to get inside the building.
- Additional security: “Additional police assets” will be deployed at synagogues across the country, Starmer said. The British prime minister, who said in a post on X that he was “appalled” by the attack, will chair a meeting led by the UK government’s COBRA committee — a cross-departmental group convened in situations of national emergency.
- Notable reactions: Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla said they are “deeply shocked and saddened” by the attack, according to a statement. Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar criticized British authorities for failing to tackle a “toxic wave of antisemitism” in the country, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “Israel grieves with the Jewish community in the UK.”
- Rise of antisemitism: The UK has seen a significant rise in antisemitic incidents over the last decade, with 2023 and 2024 charting as record-breaking years for episodes of anti-Jewish sentiment.
Starmer promises “more visible police presence” to protect Jewish community
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer used his address on Thursday to reassure the United Kingdom’s Jewish community after at least two people were killed in an attack outside a synagogue in Manchester, northern England.
The British leader vowed that he would do “everything” in his power to “guarantee you the security that you deserve, starting with a more visible police presence protecting your community.”
“I promise you that over the coming days, you will see the other Britain, the Britain of compassion, of decency, of love,” Starmer added.
Starmer says Manchester synagogue attacker targeted Jews "because they are Jews"
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Thursday that the Manchester synagogue attacker targeted “Jews because they are Jews,” adding that the United Kingdom must defeat this rising hatred.
“While this is not a new hate, this is something Jews have always lived with, we must be clear, it is a hatred that is rising once again, and Britain must defeat it once again,” he added.
CNN reports from the ground in Manchester as details of attack are being investigated
CNN’s Nic Robertson reports that “people are shocked” in Greater Manchester after a suspect carried out a deadly car ramming and stabbing attack at a synagogue on Yom Kippur.
Watch more:
Police in Scotland ask public to “remain alert but not alarmed” after Manchester attack
Police in Scotland said they are in touch with community leaders after today’s synagogue attack in Manchester, northern England, and asked the public to “remain alert but not alarmed.”
“Following the incident, we are actively communicating with faith leaders and community leaders,” he said. “While there is no intelligence to suggest any specific threat in Scotland, I want to take this opportunity to ask the public to remain alert but not alarmed.”
Houston added that additional police patrols around synagogues and other Jewish venues were already being carried out “as part of our existing policing plan for the Jewish High Holy Days.”
Israel's FM says he is "appalled" by Manchester synagogue attack
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said he was “appalled” by today’s Manchester synagogue attack and criticized British authorities for failing to tackle a “toxic wave of antisemitism” in the country.
The foreign minister went on to claim that UK authorities were failing to address antisemitism in Britain.
“The authorities in Britain have failed to take the necessary action to curb this toxic wave of antisemitism and have effectively allowed it to persist,” he said.
Starmer arrives at Downing Street ahead of emergency meeting
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has arrived at 10 Downing Street after returning to London from a security meeting in Denmark in light of today’s Manchester synagogue attack.
Starmer flew back to the UK early to chair an emergency meeting led by the British government’s COBRA committee – a cross-departmental group convened in situations of national emergency.
Earlier, Starmer said he was “appalled” by the attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall, a suburb in Greater Manchester.
Police commend "bravery" of worshippers and staff who stopped attacker accessing synagogue
Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson commended the “immediate bravery” of worshippers and security staff at the synagogue during today’s car ramming and stabbing attack.
“All those inside were safely contained until police were able to confirm that it was safe to leave the premises,” Watson added.
Synagogue attacker wore vest that had the "appearance of" explosive device, police say
More now from Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson, who said Thursday that the Manchester synagogue attacker was wearing a vest “which had the appearance of an explosive device” and that the suspect was shot dead within 10 minutes of police receiving an emergency call.
Watson acknowledged the impact of the incident on people in Manchester and across the United Kingdom.
Manchester police give update on synagogue attack
Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson is giving an update on the attack.
He said two members of the Jewish community died in the incident, while four people are in hospital having suffered a variety of injuries.
Soccer teams offer their support
Manchester’s famous soccer teams offered their support to those affected by the attack outside a synagogue in the north of the city.
The clubs sent messages of condolence via posts on X and expressed their shock at what they both called a “tragic” event.
This term, a play on the team names, has become synonymous in the northwest city with fans setting their sporting rivalries aside and standing together in the face of adversity.
It was previously used as a show of Manchester’s solidarity after the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing saw 22 concert-goers killed during a terrorist attack at an Ariana Grande performance.
Police say they know suspect's identity
Police say they know the identity of the suspect in the synagogue attack in Manchester.
“We believe we know their identity, but for safety reasons at the scene, we’re unable to confirm [their name] at this stage,” Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said.
Two arrests made, police say
Two people have been arrested in connection with the Manchester synagogue attack, police said. No further details were offered.
