Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy Confronts Angry Audience at Memorial for Synagogue Attack Victims

Vigil scene Official addressing crowd
Justice Secretary David Lammy was booed and heckled as he addressed at a vigil near to the location of the attack

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy was met with 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 criticized by certain in the crowd of allowing anti-Jewish sentiment to rise during the current administration in power.

Lammy, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, was also criticized for the government's decision to acknowledge a Palestinian state as a state by people who had gathered to express solidarity with those affected at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation in Crumpsall on the previous day.

Confrontation at the Memorial Service

Mr Lammy heard shouts of "go to Palestine, leave us alone", seemingly in response to the administration's policy to recognize a Palestinian state.

Ahead of the official's address, one attendee 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 continued.

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

As Mr Lammy began his speech with the word "friends", there were scoffs and laughter from some in the crowd.

Official's Address

The Justice Secretary addressed the audience: "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 continued.

"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."

Uproar resumed in the memorial gathering as Mr Lammy 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 overheard stating "you enabled it, every Saturday", in relation to the regular pro-Palestine marches through London and other cities.

The Justice Secretary continued: "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."

The official concluded his remarks by urging those who are organizing pro-Gaza marches over the weekend to "reflect with all human dignity, grace and understanding" and to "stop and stand back."

After he finished speaking, another attendee shouted: "They called for our death in the past. Walk past a university some day."

Attendees Voice Concerns

Memorial mood David Lammy at vigil
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy was faced protests and shouts as he addressed at the wet memorial in the city

Joanne Lazarus, 61, from Whitefield, Bury, yelled criticisms at Mr Lammy as he spoke at the vigil.

She expressed desire for the administration to halt pro-Palestine marches.

She told news agencies: "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 continued.

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

The attendee, who was familiar with the synagogue when she was younger, said she did not think Mr Lammy would "care" about the reaction he encountered at the vigil.

Attack Details

The vigil had been arranged following the passing of two individuals, who lost their lives during the attack.

Mr Cravitz, sixty-six, is understood to have been fatally attacked by the attacker while fifty-three-year-old Mr Daulby is understood to have been hit by a bullet discharged by officers as they attempted to shoot the attacker.

Three additional individuals were injured, including one thought to be hit by officer gunfire.

The attacker, who is understood to have come to the United Kingdom as a child from Syria in the mid-2000s, was fatally wounded at the scene.

A suspected explosive device he was wearing was found not to be viable, police said.

Michael Johnson
Michael Johnson

Zkušený novinář se specializací na politickou žurnalistiku a fact-checking, přináší hluboké analýzy a přesné reportáže.