Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy Confronts Hostile Crowd at Vigil for Synagogue Attack Victims

Memorial gathering Official addressing crowd
Justice Secretary David Lammy was booed and heckled as he spoke at a memorial service close to the scene of the assault

Justice Secretary David Lammy was greeted by boos and chants of "shame on you" as he spoke at a memorial for victims of the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation incident.

The former foreign secretary was accused by some in the crowd of allowing antisemitism to increase during the current administration in government.

The Justice Secretary, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, was further condemned for the administration's move to recognize a Palestinian state as a sovereign entity by individuals who had gathered to express solidarity with those killed and injured at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation in Crumpsall on Thursday.

Hostile Exchange at the Vigil

Mr Lammy faced calls of "go to Palestine, leave us alone", seemingly in reaction to the administration's policy to recognize a Palestinian state.

Before Mr Lammy's speech, one man could be heard to shout: "My children's school was closed today. You have allowed this to happen."

"You are all guilty. You have allowed Jew hatred in Manchester, on the streets. You are all guilty. We do not want you speaking here today," the protester added.

Another could be overheard saying "Empty words. We want action."

As the Justice Secretary started addressing with the word "friends", there were mocking and chuckles from some in the gathering.

Official's Address

The Justice Secretary told the crowd: "We stand in solidarity with the Jewish people, because an attack like this is never felt alone."

"Wherever you are in our country, Jewish people, our friends, our neighbours, our loved ones are terrified by the events of yesterday – of becoming targets, victims of antisemitic hate, simply for who they are," he added.

"But I know this about Britain's Jewish community, a community I have known all of my life: You are strong, you are resilient, and you will never be cowed, and that's what I want you to know today – that our country, those of all colours, all faiths and none, stand with you."

Protests continued in the memorial gathering as the official said "that is why we stand in defiance of those terrorists who seek to divide us."

There were shouts from attendees, and one man could be heard saying "you enabled it, every Saturday", in reference to the regular pro-Palestine marches through urban centers.

The Justice Secretary persisted: "We cannot, must not, let them divide us – we must show them who we really are, not what they want us to become or to believe."

Mr Lammy finished speaking by urging those who are planning pro-Gaza marches over the weekend to "reflect with all human dignity, grace and understanding" and to "stop and stand back."

After he concluded, another person yelled: "They called for our death in the past. Walk past a university some day."

Community Members Speak

Vigil atmosphere Official at memorial
Justice Secretary David Lammy was met with heckles and jeers as he spoke at the wet vigil in the city

A community member, sixty-one, from the local area, yelled criticisms at the official as he spoke at the memorial.

She expressed desire for the administration to stop weekly demonstrations.

She explained to media outlets: "I took the chance to make my voice heard. I can't take these marches every single Saturday."

"I've been into town on a Saturday and have been told I'm a baby killer and to 'go home'," she added.

"That hatred is felt through the whole of the UK and through what happened here yesterday. I knew it would happen."

Ms Lazarus, who was familiar with the synagogue when she was in her youth, said she did not think Mr Lammy would "care" about the response he encountered at the vigil.

Incident Information

The memorial had been organized following the deaths of Melvyn Cravitz and Adrian Daulby, who died during the attack.

The first victim, sixty-six, is understood to have been fatally attacked by the assailant while fifty-three-year-old the second victim is understood to have been hit by a bullet discharged by officers as they attempted to shoot Al-Shamie.

Three additional individuals were hurt, including one also believed to have been struck by a police bullet.

The attacker, who is reportedly arrived to the United Kingdom as a child from his home country in the mid-2000s, was fatally wounded at the scene.

A suspected explosive device he was carrying was determined to be non-functional, police said.

Anne Barajas
Anne Barajas

A financial analyst with over a decade of experience in investment strategies and personal finance, passionate about empowering others to achieve financial freedom.

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