Disturbing, but not surprising
Father of Manchester Synagogue Attacker Praised Hamas as "God's Men" After Oct. 7 Massacre
After his son massacred Jews on the holiest day of the Jewish Year, Yom Kippur, Dr Al-Shamie begs for privacy for his family.
Dr. Faraj al-Shamie, father of the Manchester synagogue attacker, lauded Hamas terrorists as “God’s men on earth” in social media posts following their October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, according to JNS.
On the day of the assault, he wrote that the operation “proved beyond doubt that Israel will not remain,” though he later urged Hamas to release elderly and child hostages, calling the attack a “miracle.”
After his son’s deadly assault on Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation, al-Shamie condemned it as a “heinous act,” expressing family shock and sorrow.
On Yom Kippur (Thursday, October 2, 2025) Jihad al-Shamie, a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent, rammed his car into the synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester, then attempted to stab worshippers. Two men, Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, were killed, one inadvertently by police gunfire, and four others were injured, three seriously. The attacker, free on bail for an alleged rape, was shot dead by police.
Greater Manchester Police reported Saturday that four of six suspects arrested in connection with the attack—two men (aged 30 and 32) and two women (aged 61 and 46)—remain in custody for up to five more days on suspicion of preparing and instigating terrorism. Two others, an 18-year-old woman and a 43-year-old man, are also detained for questioning.
Police are investigating whether the attacker sent 2012 death threats to Tory MP John Howell over his pro-Israel stance, signed “Jihad Alshamie.”
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch visited the site Saturday.
Burnham, after attending a Friday vigil, emphasized community dialogue, while Badenoch, meeting Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis, decried “record levels of antisemitism” in the UK, vowing to protect Jewish communities.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy faced boos and chants of “Shame on you!” at the vigil, with accusations of enabling anti-Israel sentiment. A minute of silence was held at Old Trafford before Manchester United’s match against Sunderland on Saturday, with players wearing black armbands reading “A City United.”
Increased police patrols continue, particularly around Jewish communities in north Manchester, Bury, and Salford. The Home Office affirmed security measures, including personnel, CCTV, and alarms at Jewish sites.
Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel will attend a Conservative Party event in Manchester on Sunday amid rising antisemitism concerns and strained UK-Israel ties following the attack and Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s recognition of a Palestinian state.