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Benjamin Netanyahu decried the “barbaric attack” on a British synagogue on Thursday, asserting that “failing to confront extremist violence firmly only brings more terrorism. Only strength and unity can defeat it.”

Israel’s Top Diplomat Accuses UK Government of Failing to Act on Antisemitism

The Israeli foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar, accused the UK of failing to act against antisemitism in his response to the violent incident at a Manchester synagogue, which killed two people.

Expressing horror at the killings, Sa’ar stated, asserting that antisemitic incitement had become “commonplace” across the United Kingdom.

“The truth must be told: open and widespread hostility toward Jews and Israel, along with endorsements of extremist violence, have recently become a widespread phenomenon in the capital’s avenues, in cities across Britain and on its campuses,” Sa’ar said in a post on X on Thursday evening.

Additionally, he blamed UK officials for not implementing required measures to stop the “toxic wave of antisemitism” and permitting it to continue.

“The Starmer administration must go beyond verbal assurances. We insist on a shift in policy, effective action, and enforcement against the rampant antisemitic and anti-Israeli incitement in the UK,” Sa’ar said.

Netanyahu Shows Support with UK Jewish Community

Netanyahu released a statement saying that Israel was standing in solidarity with the British Jewish community.

“The nation of Israel mourns alongside British Jews after the barbaric terror attack in Manchester. We share the sorrow of the bereaved families, and we pray for the swift recovery of the wounded,” the Prime Minister’s office conveyed on Thursday afternoon.

The Israeli leader had previously rebuked British authorities when it formally acknowledged Palestine as a state earlier last month, in coordination with other nations including Australia.

“Referring to his United Nations address: weakness in the face of terrorism only brings more terrorism,” Netanyahu said on Thursday. “A united and resolute stance is essential to overcome it.”

He accused Keir Starmer and other leaders who had endorsed Palestinian statehood as “giving a huge reward to terrorism”. Starmer has maintained that acknowledging Palestine is a crucial move toward a peaceful two-state solution and that Hamas would be excluded in any prospective Palestinian nation.

Specifics of the Violent Incident at Jewish Worship Site

An individual assaulted the Heaton Park synagogue in the Crumpsall area on Thursday morning, killing two members of the Jewish community and seriously injuring four more worshippers who had come to observe the Day of Atonement, the most sacred occasion for Jews.

The man, who police said appeared to be wearing an “explosive device”, was shot dead by police after attacking one individual with a knife and trying to hit synagogue members with a vehicle. Police later said the device was “not viable” and that they had taken two individuals into custody related to the incident.

Local law enforcement reported activating the Plato protocol – the official term for a roaming terrorist assault – in the morning. Starmer flew back to the UK early from a meeting of European officials in Denmark to chair an emergency Cobra meeting to address the incident.

British Leader Responds to Synagogue Attack

Addressing the press post-meeting, the UK leader condemned the “vile” attack and told British Jews that he would do “all possible to ensure your rightful safety”.

“Addressing all Jewish citizens nationwide, I wish to add: I know how much fear you will be holding inside of you, I really do,” the Prime Minister expressed.

Reports on Antisemitism in the UK

In a July report, the Board of Deputies of British Jews found systemic shortcomings in tackling bias against Jews in the nation including within governmental bodies.

In August, the Community Security Trust (CST), which tracks anti-Jewish incidents, said it had recorded 1,521 antisemitic incidents in the first half of 2025. This figure represented the second-highest tally on record but a 25% decrease from the peak reported the previous year.

Authorities in Israel including the Prime Minister have in the previous months claimed pro-Palestine activism has led to an increase in antisemitism, an accusation activists have rejected.