A knifeman who went on a ‘barbaric’ rampage slaughtering two people at a synagogue is an Islamist terrorist, it can now be revealed.
Wielding a blade and a fake suicide bomb vest, the Islamist fanatic went on a six-minute stabbing spree leaving two dead and four seriously injured after crashing his car into Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester targeting worshippers on a sacred day of prayer, reconciliation and reflection.
Synagogues and Jewish organisations were on high alert tonight as extra police were dispatched across the UK to protect communities.
Faith leaders urged the Government not to let a growing tide of religious hatred stemming from the conflict in the Middle East poison Britain’s streets.
After a day of bloodshed, Sir Keir Starmer warned Britain faces a rising tide of antisemitism.
The PM gave a statement from 10 Downing Street where he hailed emergency services and security saying they had ‘no doubt whatsoever prevented an even greater tragedy’.
Benjamin Netanyahu called the deadly rampage a ‘barbaric attack’ and said Israel was grieving with the Jewish community in Britain.
‘Our hearts are with the families of the murdered, and we pray for the swift recovery of the wounded,’ the Israeli Prime Minister said.
‘As I warned at the UN: weakness in the face of terrorism only brings more terrorism. Only strength and unity can defeat it.’
Rabbi Daniel Walker blocked the entrance to the ‘packed’ Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, in Manchester, after it had come under the deadly attack.
He was hailed a ‘hero’ for calmly shutting the doors of the synagogue after the terrorist ‘started stabbing everyone he could get to’.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Chava Lewin said: ‘Rabbi Walker was incredibly calm, he shut the doors to the synagogue to stop him getting inside.
‘He barricaded everyone inside. He is a hero, this could have been even worse.’
Shortly after police shot the the man, Rabbi Walker was seen outside, his white kittel – the traditional robes worn by Jewish religious leaders – seemingly covered in blood.
Worshipper Rob Kanter, 45, was in the barricaded synagogue and told how Rabbi Walker was providing as much pastoral support as he could.
He described the terrifying moment the Heaton Park Shul was placed into lockdown – but said most of those inside were able to remain calm.
‘We knew there was a commotion because we had already made sure all of the doors and windows were shut,’ he said.
‘I would say the mood amongst our fellow congregants was very calm. Everyone deals with these things in their own way, but generally, everyone was very calm and dignified.’
He said the worshippers evacuated across Middleton Road to a nearby relief centre.
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Sir Keir tonight vowed to the Jewish community that he would do ‘everything in my power to guarantee you the security that you deserve’.
The premier said there would be a more visible police presence and that Britain ‘will come together to wrap our arms around your community’.
He offered his condolences to the families and victims of the atrocity before adding: ‘I want to thank the Greater Manchester police, the first responders and those dedicated security specialists, there is no doubt whatsoever that they have prevented an even greater tragedy, and we thank them for their bravery.’
Officers have confirmed the incident is being treated as a terror attack. The Daily Mail understands members of the British Army’s elite SAS have this evening been called in to support the terror probe.
Two men have since been arrested in nearby White House Avenue, about 1,500ft from where the carnage took place, the Metropolitan Police’s head of counter terrorism policing Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said.
Speaking in Manchester tonight near the synagogue, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she was ‘horrified by the antisemitic terrorist attack’.
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‘What I do want to say is to those who seek to divide us, they will fail.’
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Speaking outside New Scotland Yard, Assistant Commissioner Taylor added: ‘This morning, an appalling attack took place in Crumpsall in Manchester. Two people have died. The attacker has been shot dead by the police.
‘We believe we know their identity, but for safety reasons at the scene, we’re unable to confirm at this stage.
‘Three other members of the public are in a serious condition. We have also made two further arrests, and based on what we know, counter-terrorism policing has declared this as a terrorist incident.’
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In Manchester, Chief Constable Stephen Watson told a press conference, the identity of the killer had been ‘established’ but that it was ‘premature’ to release it.
He said the killer’s vest had the ‘appearance of an explosive device’.
A motive for the rampage has yet to be officially confirmed. Among the victims is believed to be a security guard who helped stop the ‘marauding’ terrorist from entering the synagogue.
Chief Constable Watson added: ‘We can confirm that two members of our Jewish community have sadly died as a result of this attack.
‘Following a rapid response, armed officers from Greater Manchester Police intercepted the offender and he was fatally shot by officers within seven minutes of the original call.
‘Four further people remain in hospital, having suffered a variety of serious injuries, and their treatment is ongoing, and our thoughts are with them and their families.’
Chief Constable Watson added the attacker’s car was ‘driven directly’ at people standing outside the packed worship centre in Middleton Road.
‘The driver of the car was seen then to attack people with a knife. He was wearing about his body a vest which had the appearance of an explosive device,’ he told journalists.
‘There were a large number of worshippers attending the synagogue at the time of this attack, but thanks to the immediate bravery of security staff and worshippers inside, as well as the fast response of the police, the attacker was prevented from gaining access.’
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