“Terrorists who target synagogues on Yom Kippur will attack churches on Christmas,” warned Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, following the “awful terror attack” outside Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation in Manchester, England on Yom Kippur.

Two local Jewish men identified as Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, were murdered in the attack. A far higher death toll was prevented by worshippers already inside the synagogue barring the door.

The terrorist has been identified as Jihad al-Shamie, a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent, who was shot dead by police officers during the assault. Al-Shamie first rammed his car into Jewish worshippers outside the synagogue, then exited the vehicle and began stabbing anyone wearing a kippah (yarmulke).

Danon said the UK must do better in combatting antisemitism and making its Jewish citizens feel safe. “Words of sympathy are no longer enough,” he stated. “We expect the UK government to change course and take concrete and tangible steps to curb the rapid rise of antisemitic incitement in Britain.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the attack “barbaric,” and suggested it was facilitated by the “weakness” of his British counterpart, Keir Starmer.

“As I warned at the UN: Weakness in the face of terrorism only brings more terrorism. Only strength and unity can defeat it,” stressed Bibi.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar echoed Danon in insisting the UK government do more to halt the “rampant antisemitic and anti-Israeli incitement” sweeping the country.

“The authorities in Britain have failed to take the necessary action to curb this toxic wave of antisemitism and have effectively allowed it to persist,” said Sa’ar. “We expect and demand a change of course, effective action and enforcement against the rampant antisemitic and anti-Israeli incitement in Britain.”

Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel will arrive in Manchester on Sunday to attend an event sponsored by the British Conservative Party amid rising concerns over antisemitism and strained bilateral ties between Israel and the UK.

The Starmer government was among a handful of Western powers to publicly and unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state last month at the UN General Assembly, putting it sharply at odds not only with the government in Jerusalem, but with vast majority of Israelis and British voters.

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