Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the “savage assault” on a UK Jewish temple on Thursday, asserting that “failing to confront extremist violence firmly only brings more terrorism. Only strength and unity can defeat it.”
Israeli Top Diplomat Criticizes British Authorities of Failing to Act on Antisemitism
The Israeli foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar, claimed British officials had not done enough to combat anti-Jewish prejudice in his response to the attack in Manchester, where two individuals lost their lives.
Sa’ar said he was “appalled” by the murders, claiming that antisemitic incitement had become “commonplace” across the United Kingdom.
“The truth must be told: open and widespread hostility toward Jews and Israel, as well as calls of support for terror, have recently become a widespread phenomenon in the streets of London, in urban centers throughout the UK and on its university grounds,” the minister posted online on Thursday evening.
He further accused British authorities of failing to take the necessary action to stop the “dangerous surge in anti-Jewish sentiment” and allowing it to persist.
“The Starmer administration must go beyond verbal assurances. We insist on a shift in policy, effective action, and crackdown on widespread anti-Jewish and anti-Israel rhetoric in the UK,” the minister emphasized.
The Prime Minister Shows Support with UK Jewish Community
In an official communication, Netanyahu affirmed Israel’s unity with the Jewish population in the UK.
“The nation of Israel mourns alongside British Jews after the barbaric terror attack in Manchester. Our hearts are with the families of the murdered, and we pray for the swift recovery of the wounded,” the Prime Minister’s office conveyed on Thursday.
Netanyahu had fiercely criticised the UK government when it formally acknowledged Palestine as a state earlier last month, alongside several other states such as Australia.
“Referring to his United Nations address: yielding to extremist threats only brings more terrorism,” Netanyahu said on Thursday. “A united and resolute stance is essential to overcome it.”
He accused Keir Starmer and other leaders who had recognised the Palestinian state as “giving a huge reward to terrorism”. Starmer has maintained that acknowledging Palestine is a crucial move toward a peaceful two-state solution and that Hamas would be excluded in any future Palestinian state.
Specifics of the Manchester Synagogue Attack
A man attacked the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Crumpsall on Thursday morning, killing two members of the Jewish community and causing severe harm to four additional attendees who had come to observe the Day of Atonement, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
The man, who police said appeared to be wearing an “explosive device”, was shot dead by police after attacking one individual with a knife and attempting to run over members of the synagogue with a car. Police later said the device was “not viable” and that they had taken two individuals into custody related to the incident.
Local law enforcement reported activating the Plato protocol – the national codeword used by police when responding to a “marauding terror attack” – in the morning. Starmer flew back to the UK early from a meeting of European officials in Denmark to lead a crisis government meeting to address the incident.
British Leader Responds to Violent Assault
Addressing the press post-meeting, the UK leader denounced the “despicable” violence and told the Jewish community in Britain that he would do “everything in my power to guarantee you the security that you deserve”.
“To every Jewish person in this country, I also want to say this: I know how much fear you will be holding inside of you, I really do,” Starmer said.
Studies on Anti-Jewish Prejudice in Britain
A July study by the Board of Deputies of British Jews revealed widespread failures to address anti-Jewish discrimination in the country including within state institutions.
In August, the Community Security Trust (CST), which monitors antisemitism, said it had recorded 1,521 antisemitic incidents in the initial six months of the year. This was the second-highest number of its kind but down by a quarter from the record number recorded last year.
Israeli officials such as Netanyahu have in the past claimed pro-Palestine activism has led to an increase in antisemitism, an accusation activists have rejected.
