Dozens of anti-Semitic incidents reported in aftermath of Manchester synagogue attack
The Community Security Trust said 40 were recorded on the day and a further 40 the day after - the highest daily totals of the year
A new report reveals that on the same day of the Manchester synagogue terrorist attack, anti-Semitic incidents increased drastically.
The Heaton Park Congregation Synagogue was subject to a terror attack on October 2, which also marked Yon Kippur, the holiest day of the year for Jewish people.
The same day 40 anti-Semitic incidents were reported.
The day after, another 40 reported.
That’s according to The Community Security Trust (CST) which monitors antisemitism in the UK.
"It's shocking that someone should celebrate that appalling, murderous attack."
Michael Wegier, Chief Executive of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said: “It's shocking that someone should celebrate that appalling, murderous attack in Manchester at Heaton Park Synagogue.
“If people hate Jews, then they will celebrate when Jews get killed or Jews get hurt.
“That's the sickness of this antisemitic virus that's in the UK, and also elsewhere in the world.”
Last year was the second-highest annual total of anti-Jewish hate incidents, standing at 3,700- which was up 4% from the 3,556 recorded in 2024.
Monthly, more than 200 cases were recorded last year as well.
"I was upset by it, but I wasn't surprised by it."
The highest was in 2023, the year of Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, where the number sits at 4,298 incidents.
Mr Wegier added: “That’s rather distressing.
“The trend is upwards, not downwards, and that's really worrying.
“Anti-Semitic events can inspire other anti-Semitic events, so no, I was upset by it, but I wasn't surprised by it.”
He said antisemitism isn’t new, and that it’s been round for thousands of years, and one of his biggest pieces of advice is that Jews shouldn’t allow their identity to be defined by hate towards Jews.
Incidents causing damage to Jewish property, including homes and vehicles of Jewish people and synagogues, was up to 217 incidents last year. The highest on record.
Worshippers Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby were killed when 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie, a Syrian-born British citizen, drove into the gates of the Heaton Park Synagogue and then began attacking with a knife, wearing a fake suicide belt.
It was the first fatal antisemitic terror attack in the UK since the CST began recording incidents in 1984.
Mr Wegier gave more advice and said: “We can't check if people don't report. So reporting is really essential.
“Jews should go to the synagogue, should take part in Jewish communal events, should hang out with your Jewish friends."