Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy Faces Angry Crowd at Vigil for Temple Assault Casualties

Vigil scene David Lammy speaking
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy was booed and heckled as he addressed at a memorial service near to the location of the assault

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy was greeted by jeers and shouts of "shame on you" as he spoke at a vigil for those affected of the Manchester synagogue attack.

The senior politician was accused by some in the audience of permitting antisemitism to increase during the current administration in government.

Lammy, who is also Justice Secretary, was further criticized for the administration's move to acknowledge a Palestinian state as a sovereign entity by individuals who had come to show solidarity with those killed and injured at the Manchester synagogue in the local area on the previous day.

Hostile Exchange at the Vigil

Mr Lammy faced calls of "go to Palestine, leave us alone", apparently in response to the administration's policy to establish relations with Palestine.

Before Mr Lammy's speech, one attendee could be heard to shout: "My children's school was closed today. You have allowed this to happen."

"You are all guilty. You have allowed Jew hatred in Manchester, on the streets. You are all guilty. We do not want you speaking here today," the individual added.

Another could be overheard saying "Empty words. We want action."

As the Justice Secretary started addressing with the word "friends", there were mocking and chuckles from certain in the crowd.

Official's Address

The Deputy Prime Minister addressed the audience: "We stand in solidarity with the Jewish people, because an attack like this is never felt alone."

"Wherever you are in our country, Jewish people, our friends, our neighbours, our loved ones are terrified by the events of yesterday – of becoming targets, victims of antisemitic hate, simply for who they are," he added.

"But I know this about Britain's Jewish community, a community I have known all of my life: You are strong, you are resilient, and you will never be cowed, and that's what I want you to know today – that our country, those of all colours, all faiths and none, stand with you."

Uproar resumed in the vigil crowd as the official said "that is why we stand in defiance of those terrorists who seek to divide us."

There were calls from the crowd, and one man could be overheard stating "you enabled it, every Saturday", in relation to the regular pro-Palestine marches through urban centers.

The Deputy Prime Minister persisted: "We cannot, must not, let them divide us – we must show them who we really are, not what they want us to become or to believe."

The official finished speaking by urging those who are planning pro-Gaza marches over the weekend to "reflect with all human dignity, grace and understanding" and to "stop and stand back."

After he finished speaking, another person yelled: "They called for our death in the past. Walk past a university some day."

Community Members Speak

Vigil atmosphere Official at memorial
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy was faced protests and shouts as he spoke at the wet vigil in Manchester

A community member, 61, from Whitefield, Bury, yelled criticisms at the official as he spoke at the vigil.

She said she wanted the government to halt pro-Palestine marches.

She explained to news agencies: "I took the chance to make my voice heard. I can't take these marches every single Saturday."

"I've been into town on a Saturday and have been told I'm a baby killer and to 'go home'," she continued.

"That hatred is felt through the whole of the UK and through what happened here yesterday. I knew it would happen."

The attendee, who was familiar with the synagogue when she was in her youth, said she did not think the official would "care" about the reaction he received at the vigil.

Attack Details

The vigil had been arranged following the deaths of two individuals, who died during the incident.

Mr Cravitz, sixty-six, is understood to have been fatally attacked by the attacker while 53-year-old the second victim is believed to be hit by a bullet fired by police as they tried to stop the attacker.

Three other people were injured, including one thought to be struck by a police bullet.

Al-Shamie, who is reportedly arrived to the UK as a child from his home country in the mid-2000s, was shot dead at the location.

A potential bomb he was carrying was found not to be viable, police said.

Jennifer Harris
Jennifer Harris

A certified financial planner with over 15 years of experience in wealth management and retirement planning.