Justice Secretary David Lammy Confronts Hostile Audience at Vigil for Synagogue Attack Casualties

Vigil scene Official addressing crowd
Justice Secretary David Lammy was booed and heckled as he spoke at a memorial service near to the location of the assault

Justice Secretary David Lammy was met with jeers and shouts of "shame on you" as he spoke at a memorial for victims of the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation incident.

The former foreign secretary was accused by some in the audience of permitting anti-Jewish sentiment to increase during the current administration in government.

The Justice Secretary, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, was further criticized for the administration's move to acknowledge a Palestinian state as a sovereign entity by individuals who had gathered to express support with those affected at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation in the local area on Thursday.

Hostile Exchange at the Memorial Service

Mr Lammy heard shouts of "go to Palestine, leave us alone", seemingly in reaction to the government's decision to recognize a Palestinian state.

Before the official's address, one man 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 individual added.

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

As the Justice Secretary began his speech with the word "friends", there were mocking and chuckles from certain in the crowd.

Lammy's Response

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 added.

"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 vigil crowd as the official said "that is why we stand in defiance of those terrorists who seek to divide us."

There were calls from the crowd, and one man could be overheard stating "you enabled it, every Saturday", in relation to the regular pro-Palestine marches through urban centers.

The Justice Secretary persisted: "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."

Mr Lammy concluded his remarks by urging those who are organizing demonstrations over the coming days to "reflect with all human dignity, grace and understanding" and to "stop and stand back."

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

Attendees Voice Concerns

Memorial mood Official at memorial
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy was faced heckles and jeers as he spoke at the wet memorial in Manchester

A community member, 61, from Whitefield, Bury, shouted "shame on you" and "you're embarrassing" at Mr Lammy as he spoke at the vigil.

She expressed desire for the government to stop weekly demonstrations.

She told media outlets: "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."

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

Attack Details

The memorial had been organized following the deaths of two individuals, who lost their lives during the incident.

The first victim, 66, is reportedly fatally attacked by the attacker while 53-year-old Mr Daulby is understood to have been hit by a bullet discharged by officers as they tried to stop the attacker.

Three other people were injured, including one also believed to have been 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 location.

A suspected explosive device he was wearing was determined to be non-functional, police said.

George Anderson
George Anderson

A seasoned entrepreneur and startup advisor with over a decade of experience in tech innovation and business growth.

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