‘We knew this day would come:’ UK Chief Rabbi Mirvis on how rising antisemitism predicted Manchester synagogue attack

Britain’s Chief Rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, said Thursday night that the wave of antisemitism across the country was a harbinger of the terrorist assault on a Manchester synagogue during Yom Kippur.

“Our hearts are shattered,” Rabbi Mirvis wrote on X. “Emerging from the holy fast of Yom Kippur, British Jews are now grasping the full extent of today’s terror attack at the Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester. This is the day we hoped we would never see, but which deep down, we knew would come.”

Two Jews were killed and three others seriously injured when an assailant rammed his car into worshippers outside the synagogue before exiting the vehicle and stabbing those nearby.

Police confirmed the incident was a terrorist attack and said two suspects were arrested. A bomb disposal unit was also called to the scene.

Rabbi Mirvis described the violence as the outcome of “an unrelenting wave of Jew hatred on our streets, on campuses, on social media and elsewhere.”

He said the attack represented not only an assault on Britain’s Jews but on “the very foundations of humanity and the values of compassion, dignity and respect which we all share.”

The Chief Rabbi added that he had spoken with Rabbi Daniel Walker, spiritual leader of the Heaton Park Synagogue, praising his “courageous leadership” and the resilience of his congregation.

Witnesses said Walker blocked the synagogue doors, preventing the attacker from entering and saving dozens of worshippers.

Mirvis concluded with a call for unity: “May the victims’ memories be for a blessing and may the injured be granted a swift recovery. I pray that this tragedy strengthens our collective resolve to confront antisemitism, in all its guises, once and for all.”

The attack, carried out by a British citizen of Syrian descent, took place as worshippers were leaving after the fast of Yom Kippur. Officials said the motivation was clear: Jews were targeted because they were Jews.