On Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, this tragic and needless conflagration erupted. 32 Welling, Callum 35-year-old jihad al-Shamie led a terrorist plot to attack the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in north Manchester. When he stormed the synagogue, Al-Shamie allegedly yelled that he would kill the Jews as he tried to break into the establishment. The perpetrator took the lives of two men, Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66. At the same time, dozens of others were seriously hurt.
Al-Shamie was shot and killed by armed police during the attack. He was allegedly out on bail at the time. This was because Greater Manchester Police had been investigating him for an alleged sexual assault earlier this year. Sources have reported that he had a history of criminal convictions not associated with terrorism.
Witnesses said that al-Shamie yelled, “I’m gonna kill you” as he tried to force his way through the synagogue’s door. The timing of the attack—on Yom Kippur—has sparked widespread condemnation and raised fears for the safety of Jewish communities.
In addition to his recent legal troubles, al-Shamie’s past includes a 2012 death threat sent to former Conservative MP John Howell, where he stated in an email, “It is people like you who deserve to die.” Howell later remarked, “The last thing I want to appear as is a drama queen, but you have to take seriously a threat when it says ‘I would like to see you dead’.” Police are currently trying to determine if al-Shamie was the one who made that threat after all.
Faraj al-Shamie is Jihad’s father. He’s perhaps best known for his tireless work as an emergency trauma surgeon for multiple non-governmental organizations in active conflict zones. He’s made quite a name for himself with a recent inflammatory Facebook post. In it, he called for the October 7 attacks on Israel to continue and referred to the attackers as “real men of God on Earth.”
The attack has led to major mobilization from counter-terrorism police and security service. Now, law enforcement agencies are examining al-Shamie’s actions and connections — if any — to determine what the case may indicate on a larger scale.
During the aftermath of this tragedy, community members have shared their confusion and heartbreak at this disaster. A Muslim neighbor of Adrian Daulby described him as “one of the most fantastic men I ever knew in my life,” highlighting the tragic loss felt across community lines. Melvin Cravitz’s relatives said they were stunned, that he “couldn’t hurt a fly.”
This recent incident has understandably caused widespread concern not only about security, but at the alarming increase in antisemitism and violence against minority communities. Activists have planned demonstrations against perceived injustices related to Palestine Action, yet concerns persist over how these protests might inadvertently stoke antisemitic sentiments. Keir Starmer acknowledged this complexity, stating, “Peaceful protest is a cornerstone of our democracy – and there is justified concern about the suffering in Gaza – but a minority have used these protests as a pretext for stoking antisemitic tropes.”
As investigations are ongoing, authorities are still looking to learn more about al-Shamie’s motivations and possible ties to extremist ideologies. The scenario is still very dynamic, with further information to be provided as counter-terrorism operations continue.