King Charles III Pays Solemn Visit to Manchester Synagogue Attacked on Yom Kippur 

King Charles III made a poignant visit on Monday to the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation in Manchester, the site of a deadly Yom Kippur terror attack that claimed the lives of two people earlier this month. The King’s visit served as a powerful gesture of solidarity and mourning for the victims and the community.

Upon his arrival, King Charles was greeted by Rabbi Daniel Walker, the synagogue's spiritual leader. The monarch spent several minutes at the memorial site just outside the synagogue, where a heartfelt collection of flowers and handwritten messages has accumulated in tribute to those who were lost.

Details of the Deadly Assault

The attack, which occurred during the Jewish High Holy Day of Yom Kippur, was carried out by 35-year-old Jihad al Shamie. Authorities confirmed that during his assault, al Shamie pledged allegiance to the Islamic State terror group in a call he made directly to the police.

The terrorist initiated the violence by driving his car into worshippers (mispalelim) outside the synagogue. He then proceeded to attack others with a knife and attempted to storm the synagogue while wearing a fake suicide belt. Armed police quickly arrived at the scene and shot and killed him, ending the rampage.

Two men were tragically killed in the attack. The victims were identified as Melvin Cravitz, a 66-year-old father of three, and Adrian Daulby, 53. Investigators believe Daulby was fatally struck by police gunfire as he heroically tried to block the synagogue doors to prevent the attacker from entering the building and causing further casualties.

The Wounded and the Road to Recovery

In addition to the two fatalities, three other people were injured. The wounded include a security guard who was rammed by the attacker’s vehicle, a volunteer who suffered stab wounds, and Yoni Finlay. Finlay underwent an extensive seven hours of surgery after reportedly being struck by police fire during the chaotic response. He was released from the hospital last week and is now recovering.

The synagogue community continues to grapple with the horror of the attack, finding strength in the widespread support, which now includes the highest office in the United Kingdom. King Charles's visit reinforced the national commitment to supporting the victims and standing against terror.