Protesters in London ignored official pleas to cancel a demonstration on Saturday following the deadly Manchester synagogue attack on Thursday, which heightened UK antisemitism tensions amid calls for respect from the government.
Keir Starmer London Protest Warning Issued
Prime Minister Keir Starmer had urged organizers to “respect the grief of British Jews,” noting the protest’s timing. “I know that planned protests over the weekend, just a few days before the anniversary of the October 7 attacks, as well as in the shadow of the Manchester attack, will cause distress,” Starmer stated.
“This is a moment of mourning,” he added. “It is not a time to stoke tension and cause further pain.“
Despite the pleas, the demonstration organized by Defend Our Juries Palestine Action proceeded in London’s Trafalgar Square. Organizers are demanding the government lift a ban on the group Palestine Action.
Details of the Manchester Synagogue Attack
The deadly Manchester synagogue attack occurred on Yom Kippur at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue. Two people were killed and four others were injured in the assault on Thursday.
Authorities identified the attacker as Jihad Al Shamie, a 35-year-old British citizen. Al Shamie used a car to hit pedestrians and also stabbed at least one victim before police shot and killed him at the scene.
The deceased victims were identified as Melvin Cravitz, 66, and Adrian Daulby, 53. Officials stated that one of the victims was apparently accidentally shot by police as they tried to subdue the Jihad Al Shamie attacker.
Tributes Paid to Victims of Attack
Cravitz’s family remembered him as a man who “would do anything to help anyone” and was “devoted to his wife, family and loved his food.” He will be “sorely missed by his wife, family, friends and community.“
Adrian Daulby was among the worshippers who heroically prevented the attacker from entering the synagogue. His family said he “was a hero and tragically lost his life in the act of courage to save others.“
Police Warn of Arrests at London Protest
The London Metropolitan Police had warned that if the protest was not canceled, its activities would be met with arrests. Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley criticized the organizers for their timing.
“By deliberately choosing to encourage mass lawbreaking on this scale, Defend Our Juries are drawing valuable resources away from the communities of London at a time when they are needed most,” Rowley said. Police made several arrests at the protest.
Demonstrators held signs stating, “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.” Defend Our Juries claimed Palestine Action was labeled a terror group “for trying to stop crimes against humanity.“
Attack Increases UK Antisemitism Tensions
The attack and protest have highlighted rising UK antisemitism tensions. Gideon Falter of the Campaign Against Antisemitism called the attack “the intifada globalized,” meaning “Jews on the ground in a pool of blood… outside a synagogue on the holiest day of the Jewish year.“
“Where are our institutions that are supposed to make sure that this sane, tolerant, decent place remains the Britain that we know and love?” Falter asked.
The U.K. Parliament banned Palestine Action in July under the Terrorism Act 2000.
The government cited the group’s “orchestration and enaction of aggressive and intimidatory attacks” as its reason for the designation.
