Hundreds of people gathered outside Manchester Cathedral on Sunday morning for a rally marking the two-year anniversary of the Hamas attacks on Israel. North West Friends of Israel proceeded with the pre-planned event despite safety concerns following Thursday's terror attack on a Manchester synagogue.
Participants waved Israeli flags and held banners calling for the release of hostages, including 24-year-old musician Alon Ohel. Police and security guards from the Community Security Trust charity monitored the gathering.
Synagogue attack victims remembered
The rally commemorated Adrian Daulby (53) and Melvin Cravitz (66), who died at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue during Thursday's attack. Three men remain in hospital following the car and knife assault.
Jihad Al-Shamie (35), who was on bail for an alleged rape, was shot dead by police as he targeted the synagogue on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Daulby was reportedly shot dead by police while trying to stop Al-Shamie from entering the building, whilst Cravitz died helping prevent the attacker from entering the premises.
A banner on the rally stage read: "Jews standing proud in the face of terrorism. Adrian's and Melvin's bravery will never be forgotten. We are not Jews with trembling knees."
London events and arrests
The Manchester rally preceded a similar event organised by the Board of Deputies of British Jews (BDBJ) in London's Trafalgar Square later on Sunday. Almost 500 people were arrested over pro-Palestine protests at the same location on Saturday.
The BDBJ called for those arrested under the Terrorism Act to be investigated for stirring up racial hatred. In a statement on X, the BDBJ said: "The crass insensitivity shown by the protesters, more than 400 of whom were arrested for supporting a proscribed terrorist organisation, is an affront to public decency."
Anniversary commemoration
The London rally happens ahead of Tuesday's anniversary of the October 7 attacks on Israel, which triggered the war in Gaza. Speakers include Sharone Lifschitz, daughter of two former hostages, and Adam Ma'anit, whose cousin was taken hostage on October 7.
Enhanced security measures and police presence were implemented for the London event following the Manchester synagogue attack. Police forces have deployed extra officers to synagogues and other Jewish buildings nationwide to provide protection and reassurance.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
