‘There are many causes: Islamism, media bias in reporting the war in the Middle East, the inability of authorities to go after serial wrongdoers while instead focusing on minor infractions of the law-abiding population and so much more’
October 4, 2025 13:40
This afternoon, after speaking to the Prestwich Hebrew Congregation, I met some of the excellent police officers and CST first responders at the scene of the terrorist attack, as well as some members of the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation.
The strength of Manchester’s Jewish community in the face of evil is humbling. But the overwhelming feeling I have after meeting them is rage. How dare a man welcomed into our country as a child repay that generosity with terror and bloodshed?
So many lives ruined, so much trauma, pain, anxiety and loss left behind. I am absolutely sick of seeing Britain’s kindness turned against us.
The brazen antisemitism on display on Yom Kippur under the pretence of “protest” is another example of people abusing the rights and freedoms we have. Yet too many still champion causes and cultures that do not respect those same rights and freedoms.
The naivety of those who believe this will all go away with warm words is also taking our country down a dark path. This hand-wringing has a cost.
Manchester’s Jewish community has been part of the city for over two centuries. It is a scandal that many In Manchester and beyond are considering leaving our country.
For generations after the Holocaust, the world said “never again”. Never again would we allow Jews to be hunted, terrorised, or live in fear because of who they are. Those words ring hollow today.
On Yom Kippur, Jews ask where they’ve fallen short and how to do better. We, as a nation, must ask ourselves the same. How did we let hatred fester again on our streets?
There are many causes: Islamism, media bias in reporting the war in the Middle East, the inability of authorities to go after serial wrongdoers while instead focusing on minor infractions of the law-abiding population and so much more.
The terror-supporting hate marches must stop. The government must abandon its dangerous "Islamophobia” definition. And we need a wholesale new approach to tackling misinformation and bias in our media.
We’ve tolerated this poison for too long – because too many politicians have been too weak or too cowardly to even say what they see, let alone confront it.
My message in Manchester is simple: no more. No more fear. No more excuses. No more looking away. We will stand with our Jewish friends, not just in sympathy, but in strength.
We pray for the recovery of the victims still in hospital. And we mourn the loss of Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz.
May their memories be a blessing.
To get more from opinion, click here to sign up for our free Editor's Picks newsletter.
