Letters to the Editor, October 10 2025

Kingston-upon-Thames

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I have never been more proud to be a British Jew. Since the horrific events of October 7 and the attack on the Heaton Park synagogue last Thursday, we Jews have shown that we are there for each other when it really matters. Standing together and showing that we will not be cowed by terrorist threats shows why we are still here after 3,500 years. And it also shows why there is an increased curiosity from the non-Jewish world about who we are and what we are about. For many years, I have spoken to thousands of children and their teachers in non-Jewish schools all over the UK. and in the past two years, demand has increased exponentially. Education must play a huge part to combat the myths and misconceptions in the fight against antisemitism to secure a safe and secure future for future generations of British Jews.

Dr Sheila Gewolb

LE15

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As leaders of public opinion in the UK on the question of Palestine we stand shoulder to shoulder with British Jewry in assertively and unequivocally condemning the heinous crime against Jewish worshippers in Manchester. When it comes to assertively responding to such a cowardly crime, we have no hesitation in saying to the terrorists and all those behind them that we are all Jews today.

Such a heinous attack is also an offence to Islam as places of worship are absolutely and unequivocally protected under its tenets. As we fully support our UK security agencies in hunting down and unravelling this web of terrorism translating its poisonous ideology into murderous crimes. We also demand that security and police protection is doubled on Jewish places of worship to avoid repeat. The security of the UK and the safety of all its citizens is a redline which can never be crossed.

As we lend our voice to the UK Jewish community today as one of its very own, in unity, solidarity and grief, we also defiantly stare the terrorists sowing the seeds of division in the eye and tell them that their twisted mindset and visceral antisemitism shall never prevail.

Professor Lu’ayy Minwer Al-Rimawi

Former Visiting Fellow, Harvard Law School

Peterborough

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I am not Jewish but feel compelled to write to give my support and condolences to the Jewish community of Great Britain. Our supposedly multicultural society has fallen to an all-time low when Jewish families feel afraid and intimidated to walk the streets of this country.

Keir Starmer and his government must take full responsibility for what has happened in Manchester. Firstly by the lack of action during hate marches against Israel and Jewish people in general and secondly by rewarding Hamas for terrorist actions by recognising a Palestinian state. These actions have only emboldened terrorists to commit further atrocities. This government has blood on its hands.

The fact that the Jewish community has stayed together and strong against this intolerable antisemitism fills me full of admiration. You have my full support and the support of the majority of fair-minded Britons.

Terence Walsh

Swansea

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I’ve returned from my church’s thanksgiving service. A simple service of prayer and hymns. We were safe and able to participate unhindered or unconcerned that we could face danger. There are no security guards, bomb-proof doors or high fences. Our congregation is aware of the hate and cruelty suffered by others and, through prayer, hope for better times. In practice, we have little to offer in terms of safe worship. This has never entered our thinking. The freedom we enjoy is taken for granted.

We’ve learnt today of the terrorist killings, the fear, horror and hatred directed at the assembled faithful and those assigned to protect them. This hatred is corrosive and, to other faiths and Christians, is beyond our comprehension, experience and way of life. This is not the case for our Jewish communities, families and children. We hear of Jewish families wishing to leave because they feel unsafe. This is wrong, and our politicians, police and security services must work harder to create the conditions which drive out antisemitism, keep all our communities protected and safe and, by doing so, we can live in peace.

Peter Bolton

Abergele

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The Manchester attack underlines how our politicians and community leaders must learn to express and discuss our challenging differences with a kinder appreciation of their effect and with more understanding of other views.

Recent immigrant communities must appreciate the quieter ways the many British communities come to acceptable middle ground.

In particular the strident tone of Hamas/Palestinian marches must be addressed. UK society requires less aggression in all dialogue, less extreme language, as much by extreme Israeli as Hamas elements.

Hugh Marsden

London W14

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I wish to send my deepest condolences to you and the wider Jewish community after the dreadful events in Manchester today, on your most holy day. It has made me very sad, as I know the area, but along with the other atrocities against the Jewish people I feel a much deeper sadness at the relentless persecution you are having to endure day after day. With much sympathy,

Brenda Vaughan

Mold

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After the appalling events in Manchester, I am writing to express my deep sorrow, as a Christian minister, that Jewish people have faced despicable antisemitism in Britain.

I wholly condemn such behaviour and urge the government to act with a resolve not previously shown, both against its perpetrators, but also against the so-called Gaza protests, many of which are an excuse for antisemitism. Beyond this, there is an eco-system of bigotry, which includes supposedly charitable and religious bodies which forment hatred. For them, the normal rules about freedom of speech do not apply, since they abuse such freedoms to attack the Jewish community.

The Jewish community is an immensely valuable part of Britain which deserves every sympathy and support after the atrocity in Manchester. Antisemitism has no place in this country and must be rooted out.

Revd Dr David Goodhew

Middlesborough