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The Israeli Prime Minister decried the “brutal incident” on a British synagogue on Thursday, declaring that “weakness in the face of terrorism only brings more terrorism. Only strength and unity can defeat it.”

Israeli Foreign Minister Accuses UK Government of Inaction on Anti-Jewish Sentiment

The Israeli foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar, accused the UK of failing to act against antisemitism in his response to the violent incident at a Manchester synagogue, where two individuals lost their lives.

Expressing horror at the killings, Sa’ar stated, claiming that antisemitic incitement had become “pervasive” across Britain.

“It must be stated clearly: blatant and rampant antisemitic and anti-Israeli incitement, as well as calls of support for terror, have recently become a common occurrence in the capital’s avenues, in urban centers throughout the UK and on its university grounds,” Sa’ar said in a post on X on Thursday evening.

Additionally, he blamed UK officials for not implementing required measures to stop the “dangerous surge in anti-Jewish sentiment” and permitting it to continue.

“We expect more than words from the Starmer government. We insist on a shift in policy, decisive steps, and enforcement against the rampant antisemitic and anti-Israeli incitement in Britain,” Sa’ar said.

The Prime Minister Expresses Solidarity with British Jews

Netanyahu released a statement saying that Israel was standing in solidarity with the British Jewish community.

“Israel grieves with the Jewish community in the UK after the heinous extremist assault in Manchester. Our hearts are with the families of the murdered, and we pray for the swift recovery of the wounded,” the Prime Minister’s office conveyed on Thursday afternoon.

Netanyahu had fiercely criticised the UK government when it recognised the Palestinian state earlier last month, alongside several other states such as Australia.

“Referring to his United Nations address: yielding to extremist threats only brings more terrorism,” Netanyahu reiterated Thursday. “Only strength and unity can defeat it.”

He blamed UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and fellow officials who had endorsed Palestinian statehood as “giving a huge reward to terrorism”. Starmer has maintained that acknowledging Palestine is a crucial move toward a resolution involving two independent states and that the Hamas group would not be included in any future Palestinian state.

Specifics of the Violent Incident at Jewish Worship Site

A man attacked the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in the Crumpsall area on Thursday, killing two members of the Jewish community and causing severe harm to four additional attendees who had come to celebrate Yom Kippur, the most sacred occasion for Jews.

The man, who police said appeared to be wearing an “explosive device”, was fatally shot by officers after stabbing one person and attempting to run over members of the synagogue with a car. Police later said the device was “not viable” and that they had arrested two suspects in connection with the attack.

Local law enforcement reported activating the Plato protocol – the official term for a roaming terrorist assault – in the early hours. The British Prime Minister cut short his European summit in Denmark to chair an emergency Cobra meeting to address the incident.

UK Prime Minister Reacts to Violent Assault

Speaking after the meeting, the UK leader condemned the “vile” attack and told the Jewish community in Britain that he would do “everything in my power to guarantee you the security that you deserve”.

“Addressing all Jewish citizens nationwide, I wish to add: I know how much fear you will be holding inside of you, I really do,” Starmer said.

Studies on Anti-Jewish Prejudice in Britain

A July study by the Board of Deputies of British Jews revealed systemic shortcomings in tackling bias against Jews in the nation including within governmental bodies.

In August, the Community Security Trust (CST), which tracks anti-Jewish incidents, said it documented over 1,500 anti-Jewish cases in the initial six months of the year. This figure represented the second-highest tally on record but a 25% decrease from the peak reported the previous year.

Israeli officials such as Netanyahu have in the past asserted that pro-Palestinian advocacy has fueled rising anti-Jewish sentiment, an allegation that campaigners have disputed.