Jewish Voice for Liberation issues statement on Manchester synagogue attack

Jewish Voice for Liberation (formerly Jewish Voice for Labour) has issued a statement on the terrorist attack at a synagogue in Manchester, where an attacker killed two people and injured others.

Jewish Voice for Liberation: horrified by Manchester terror attack

Jewish Voice for Liberation (formerly Jewish Voice for Labour) said it is:

is saddened and horrified by the abhorrent, murderous attack on Jewish worshippers at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester.  As congregants were gathering for the morning Yom Kippur service, which is the holiest event in the Jewish calendar, a man wielding a knife attacked and killed two people, injuring others seriously.  Yom Kippur, the day of atonement for our wrongdoings is a day of reflection and a 25 hour fast for observant Jews.  The killer clearly targeted Jews on this important day for Jewish people.  We extend our sincere condolences to the families, friends and community of those who were killed.

Nothing can justify these murders and we do not know the motivation of the attacker. To attack a place of worship is particularly heinous.  We welcome the statement issued within hours by the Manchester Council of Mosques which included these words: “We urge everyone to remain calm, allow the police to carry out their investigations, and to avoid speculation. It is vital at moments like these that we stand together as one Manchester — united against hatred and committed to peace, justice, and respect for all.”

We mourn the deaths of those killed today as we mourn all violent deaths and racist attacks.  We note the worrying rise in antisemitism and in Islamophobia both in the UK and far too many other countries.

Our comrades in Greater Manchester JVL have been especially deeply affected by these murders.  One of the founding members has family members who attend this synagogue and it is where she has been for family events such as Barmitzvahs and weddings.  As Jews and as human beings committed to peace and to justice we condemn this act unequivocally and see this as an attack not only on the Jewish community but also on diversity in our society.  Another said:  “although we don’t know the motivation yet, we can say that the actions and words of Netanyahu and the Israeli state, claiming to represent all Jews worldwide are placing diaspora Jews at increasing risk of violence.”

This attack is now added to attacks on other places of worship, such as the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, USA, on the Mosque in Christchurch, (Aotearoa, New Zealand), the deadly attack on a church in Michigan, USA that took place just four days ago (on 28^th September) as well as the attacks on churches and mosques in Palestine. Nothing but nothing justifies murder and we must continue to work against divisions that will always work against the interests of ordinary people.

Featured image via the Canary