Pro-Palestinian Protest in Manchester Held Amid Fury Over Deadly Synagogue Attack
Manchester – Pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched through Manchester on Thursday to protest the Israeli interception of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, sparking anger as the city mourned a deadly terror attack at a local synagogue that left two people dead.
Hundreds gathered at Manchester Piccadilly Station, holding Palestinian flags and signs with slogans such as, "Freedom for Palestine", and, "Stop starving Gaza". The protest was organised in solidarity with the Global Sumud Flotilla, a convoy of ships carrying humanitarian aid and activists, including Greta Thunberg, which was stopped by the Israeli navy.
The demonstration took place just hours after a fatal attack at the Heaton Park synagogue on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism. Police said an assailant drove a car into worshippers before attacking them with a knife, killing two and injuring four. The suspect, who was wearing a fake explosive vest, was shot and killed by officers at the scene. The incident has been declared a terrorist attack.
The timing of the protest drew sharp criticism. Conservative MP Susan Hall described the demonstration as, "disgraceful, disrespectful, despicable behaviour".
Organisers of the Piccadilly protest addressed the tragedy, stating they, "condemned in the strongest possible terms", the attack in Heaton Park. They also called for a minute's silence to honour the victims.
A similar protest took place in London's Parliament Square, also demonstrating against the interception of the flotilla.
The attack in Manchester prompted strong reactions from both British and Israeli leaders. UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer condemned the, "terrorist attack that attacked Jews because they are Jews", and promised an increased police presence to protect the Jewish community.
Israeli officials criticised the UK government, with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar stating that British authorities had, "failed to take the necessary action to curb this toxic wave of antisemitism". Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country, "grieves with the Jewish community in the UK", following the, "barbaric terror attack".
The focus of the protests, the Global Sumud Flotilla, was intercepted by the Israeli navy beginning Wednesday after being warned not to enter waters under its blockade of Gaza. The Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed that several vessels were stopped and that passengers, including climate activist Greta Thunberg, were, "safe and healthy", and being transferred to an Israeli port for deportation.
The flotilla protests were not limited to the UK, with thousands marching in cities across Europe, including Barcelona, Madrid, and Rome, to denounce the interception and show solidarity with Palestinians.
Hundreds gathered at Manchester Piccadilly Station, holding Palestinian flags and signs with slogans such as, "Freedom for Palestine", and, "Stop starving Gaza". The protest was organised in solidarity with the Global Sumud Flotilla, a convoy of ships carrying humanitarian aid and activists, including Greta Thunberg, which was stopped by the Israeli navy.
The demonstration took place just hours after a fatal attack at the Heaton Park synagogue on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism. Police said an assailant drove a car into worshippers before attacking them with a knife, killing two and injuring four. The suspect, who was wearing a fake explosive vest, was shot and killed by officers at the scene. The incident has been declared a terrorist attack.
The timing of the protest drew sharp criticism. Conservative MP Susan Hall described the demonstration as, "disgraceful, disrespectful, despicable behaviour".
Organisers of the Piccadilly protest addressed the tragedy, stating they, "condemned in the strongest possible terms", the attack in Heaton Park. They also called for a minute's silence to honour the victims.
A similar protest took place in London's Parliament Square, also demonstrating against the interception of the flotilla.
The attack in Manchester prompted strong reactions from both British and Israeli leaders. UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer condemned the, "terrorist attack that attacked Jews because they are Jews", and promised an increased police presence to protect the Jewish community.
Israeli officials criticised the UK government, with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar stating that British authorities had, "failed to take the necessary action to curb this toxic wave of antisemitism". Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country, "grieves with the Jewish community in the UK", following the, "barbaric terror attack".
The focus of the protests, the Global Sumud Flotilla, was intercepted by the Israeli navy beginning Wednesday after being warned not to enter waters under its blockade of Gaza. The Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed that several vessels were stopped and that passengers, including climate activist Greta Thunberg, were, "safe and healthy", and being transferred to an Israeli port for deportation.
The flotilla protests were not limited to the UK, with thousands marching in cities across Europe, including Barcelona, Madrid, and Rome, to denounce the interception and show solidarity with Palestinians.
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