The Manchester Jewish community commemorated the October 7 Massacre on Sunday in the wake of the Thursday terrorist attack on a local synagogue that claimed the lives of two congregants and left three others wounded.
The event was planned before the Yom Kippur attack on the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, but since the pro-Israel event had also become a show of solidarity for the local Jewish community.
"We all stand together in Manchester," organizers Northwest Friends of Israel said on X. "For Israel, our hostages, and our Manchester Jewish community."
Community members rallied with Israeli and British flags, and a shofar was blown in honour of October 7 victims and for the return of hostages.
"Let's make this the biggest show of support and solidarity ever!" read the promotional poster, which lists the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester and Region as a supporter. "We are not Jews with trembling knees. Stand with us!"
An organizer noted to The Jerusalem Post that the Manchester event would not shy from honoring fallen IDF soldiers, nor from recognizing the bravery and morality of the Israeli military.
Increased security precautions in place
Police and the Community Security Trust are set to secure the event. Greater Manchester Police said on Sunday that they had increased patrols to provide reassurance and increased visibility among Jewish communities. The presence is set to continue through the weekend, according to the police, amid a series of events including the Conservative Party conference and soccer matches.
A large October 7 anniversary event was held the same day in London, with the backing of over 30 Jewish and Israeli organizations from across the political spectrum. The Trafalgar Square event, according to the Board of Deputies of British Jews, would honor those who lost their lives in October 2023, and would call for the release of hostages captured by Gazan terrorists during the pogrom.
Board of Deputies president Phil Rosenberg called for the world to pressure Hamas to release the hostages, calling for a chorus of international voices to state "let my people go."
The Manchester Jewish community, the second largest in the UK after London, held a vigil on Friday.
Rosenberg related in his Trafalgar speech that amid the pain at the Heaton Park vigil, the community prayed, sang, and danced together.
“Our response to antisemitic terror is Jewish joy. Is Jewish pride!” said Rosenberg.
The vigil was held in honor of Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66. The two congregants died during the attack by a suspected Islamist terrorist who was out on bail for alleged rape.
The 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian extraction rammed the synagogue with a vehicle before attacking congregants with a bladed article. The terrorist had a fake suicide belt around his waist.
Six people were taken into custody for questioning, but late Saturday the 18-year-old woman and 43-year-old man arrested in connection to the incident were released.