British Jews gathered to commemorate the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, with ceremonies marked by outrage following a terrorist attack on a synagogue in Manchester that killed two and injured four
The community criticized the government for failing to combat anti-Semitism, which has grown with anti-Israel protests.
Leaders demand action against hate and violent speech, while a survey shows that the majority of British Jews feel unsafe and face constant hostility.
On Sunday, British Jews gathered to commemorate two years since the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, in southern Israel.
The ceremonies were marked by sadness, anger, and determination, especially after a terrorist attack on a synagogue in Manchester during the Yom Kippur holiday that left two dead and four seriously injured.
Participants lamented that the rise in antisemitism in the UK, sparked by the Hamas attack and the war in Gaza, has gone unchecked.
Anti-Israel and antisemitic protests have become commonplace in the country.
In Manchester, where a knifeman attacked the Heaton Park synagogue on Thursday, thousands gathered with the message: “We are not Jews in fear.” In London, about 3,000 people gathered in Trafalgar Square, where Keith Black, head of the Jewish Leadership Council, declared that antisemitism in the country is “out of control.” He criticized protests that spread hatred against Jews and the abuse suffered by Jewish students at universities.
Black mentioned the concept of “ambient antisemitism,” a constant hostility in society that has grown alongside anti-Israel sentiment.
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis led prayers for the hostages still held by Hamas and in memory of the victims.
Candles were lit to remember the communities attacked on October 7th, and the names of the British citizens killed were read.
On Saturday, nearly 500 people were arrested in London during a pro-Palestine and anti-Israel protest in the same Trafalgar Square.
Following this, the British government gave police the power to limit repeated protests at the same location, recognizing the impact on the community.
Emily Damari, a British-Israeli kidnapped by Hamas on October 7th and held hostage for 471 days, sent a video message urging people to use their voices to help free the hostages.
Shaun Lemel, a survivor of the Nova festival, recalled how the event went from a party to a “horrific battlefield” in minutes, when the attack began at 6:29 a.m.
Determination in Manchester
In Manchester, more than a thousand people braved rain and cold for a ceremony outside Manchester Cathedral, amid tight security following the synagogue attack.
The terrorist, a British man of Syrian origin, was killed by police.
He was on parole for a rape charge and, according to police, may have been motivated by extremist Islamic ideology.
Banners honored the victims, Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz, declaring that their courage will never be forgotten.
Rabbi Amir Elituv led prayers and a moment of silence for the victims of the October 7 attack and the Manchester attack.
Marc Levy, leader of the Manchester Jewish Representative Council, said that being Jewish in the UK over the past two years has been lonely, with reports of abuse being ignored.
He thanked security forces for limiting the attack and expressed hope that the community’s unity will bring comfort to the victims’ families.
Raphi Bloom, a member of the Heaton Park synagogue, blamed Prime Minister Keir Starmer for encouraging Hamas by recognizing the Palestinian state last month.
He said the Jewish community has faced attacks, vandalism, and marches that have made city centers unsafe for Jews.
Bloom criticized the government for failing to combat anti-Semitism and for allowing speech that incites violence, such as calls to “globalize the intifada,” which led to the Manchester attack.
Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative Party, said the Yom Kippur attack was an attack on all Britons, not just Jews.
She criticized the tolerance of hate speech at anti-Israel protests, such as the slogan “from the river to the sea,” which suggests the destruction of Israel, and “globalize the intifada,” which incites violence against Jews.
Badenoch stated that the UK has tolerated radical ideologies that threaten everyone for too long and promised that the streets would no longer be the scene of intimidation.
Growing Concern Among British Jews
A study by the Institute for Jewish Policy Research (JPR), published ahead of the October 7 anniversary, showed that 82% of British Jews view antisemitism as a “significant” problem, and nearly half consider it “very serious,” up from just 11% a decade ago.
The survey, conducted among 4,800 Jewish adults in 2025, revealed that a third experienced at least one antisemitic incident in 2024, and 35% feel unsafe.
Trust in institutions, political parties, and the media is low, and 45% reported experiencing “ambient antisemitism”-such as hostile media coverage, online comments, and minor assaults-frequently.
The study also showed greater identification with Zionism and Jewish identity, but young Jews are more critical of Israel, and disagreements over military actions in Gaza have increased tensions within the community.
Published in 10/06/2025 10h46
Text adapted by AI (Grok) and translated via Google API in the English version. Images from public image libraries or credits in the caption.
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