‘Dishonorable’: Muslim UK Minister criticizes anti-Israel demonstrations after deadly synagogue attack

Two people were killed and several others wounded in a combined car-ramming and stabbing assault outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue north Manchester during Yom Kippur services.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Britain’s interior minister, Shabana Mahmood, who is Muslim, criticized pro-Palestinian demonstrations that took place in the hours after Thursday night’s deadly terror attack on a Manchester synagogue, calling the protests “dishonorable” and urging restraint as the Jewish community grieves.

Two people were killed and several others wounded in a combined car-ramming and stabbing assault outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall, north Manchester during Yom Kippur services.

Armed police patrolled the area on Friday as officials worked to reassure a community shaken by the attack.

“I was very disappointed to see those protests go ahead last night,” Mahmood told Times Radio. “I think that behavior is fundamentally un-British … I think it’s dishonorable.”

She appealed to organizers to cancel further demonstrations in the coming days: “I would call on everybody who is considering protest … to just take a step back and to show some humanity and some love towards a community that is grieving.” Mahmood also pledged stronger government action to counter rising antisemitism.

The Metropolitan Police echoed her appeal, urging cancellation of a planned London rally by pro-Palestinian groups this weekend.

“The horrific terrorist attack that took place in Manchester yesterday will have caused significant fear and concern in communities across the UK,” the police said, warning that preparing for mass gatherings draws resources away from protecting vulnerable neighborhoods.

Organizers are expecting more than 1,000 participants in Trafalgar Square to support Palestine Action, which was outlawed under anti-terrorism laws in July.

Israeli leaders expressed solidarity with Britain’s Jewish community. “Israel grieves with the Jewish community in the UK after the barbaric terror attack in Manchester,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, adding, “weakness in the face of terrorism only brings more terrorism. Only strength and unity can defeat it.” President Isaac Herzog spoke directly with Manchester’s Jewish leadership and called the assault “a vile act of terror … on the holiest day of the year for Jews.”

Israeli MK Avigdor Liberman also responded, urging Jews in the Diaspora to immigrate to Israel. “The State of Israel is the home of us all … Now is the time to make Aliyah,” he said.