‘A terrible shock’ – King Charles visits Manchester synagogue attacked on Yom Kippur
Charles was greeted by Rabbi Daniel Walker when he arrived at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, where two congregants were murdered earlier this month
The King has visited the Manchester synagogue attacked on Yom Kippur to show his support for the community.
Charles was greeted by Rabbi Daniel Walker when he arrived at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, just a few metres from where Jihad Al-Shamie launched his terror attack on 2 October that resulted in the killing of two worshippers.
The King took his time to view the many bouquets of flowers and messages to the community outside the shul, accompanied by Rabbi Daniel Walker. He also met dozens of congregants, senior representatives of the synagogue and held a private meeting with the Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Walker and an unnamed survivor of the attack.
King said the attack had been a “terrible shock” and shared his “heartfelt condolences”. He asked senior members of the community if they were getting sufficient support and inquired whether the police had been helpful in the attack’s wake. Synagogue president Hilary Foxler praised Manchester police as “incredible”. The King then complimented the Community Security Trust for the work it does in protecting British Jews.
A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace said the visit was “part of the King’s longstanding mission to bring communities together, particularly in times of challenge.” The spokesperson added he hoped the focus of today would be on the Manchester Jewish community and not on other matters.
Congregant Adrian Daulby, 53, leapt from his seat to block the doors of the synagogue as knife-wielding Al-Shamie, 35, tried to get in to attack worshippers. Melvin Cravitz, 66, was killed along with Adrian, as the attack unfolded on Yom Kippur, the most holy day in the Jewish calendar, with many worshippers inside the synagogue in Crumpsall, north Manchester.
Adrian is believed to have been inadvertently shot dead by armed police as they scrambled to the scene to stop Al-Shamie, who had driven his car at worshippers outside, attacked others with a knife and tried to storm the synagogue, wearing a fake suicide belt.
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