Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy Faces Angry Audience at Memorial for Temple Assault Victims

Memorial gathering David Lammy speaking
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy was jeered and shouted at as he spoke at a memorial service close to the scene of the attack

Justice Secretary David Lammy was greeted by boos and chants of "shame on you" as he appeared at a vigil for victims of the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation incident.

The senior politician was criticized by certain in the crowd of permitting antisemitism to rise during Labour's time in government.

Lammy, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, was also condemned for the administration's move to recognize a Palestinian state as a sovereign entity by people who had come to show solidarity with those affected at the Manchester synagogue in Crumpsall on the previous day.

Confrontation at the Memorial Service

Mr Lammy heard shouts of "go to Palestine, leave us alone", apparently in reaction to the government's decision to establish relations with Palestine.

Ahead of Mr Lammy's speech, one man 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 Mr Lammy started addressing with the word "friends", there were mocking and chuckles from some in the crowd.

Lammy's Response

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."

Protests continued 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 individual could be heard saying "you enabled it, every Saturday", in relation to the regular pro-Palestine marches through urban centers.

The Justice Secretary 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."

Mr Lammy concluded his remarks 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 attendee yelled: "They called for our death in the past. Walk past a university some day."

Community Members Speak

Memorial mood Official at memorial
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy was faced protests and shouts as he addressed at the wet vigil in Manchester

Joanne Lazarus, sixty-one, from the local area, yelled criticisms at the official as he addressed at the memorial.

She said she wanted the administration to stop weekly demonstrations.

She told media outlets: "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 added.

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

The attendee, who attended the Heaton Park Shul when she was younger, said she did not think Mr Lammy would "care" about the reaction he received at the memorial.

Incident Information

The memorial had been organized following the deaths of two individuals, who lost their lives during the attack.

Mr Cravitz, sixty-six, is reportedly fatally attacked by the attacker while fifty-three-year-old Mr Daulby is understood to have been struck by gunfire discharged by officers as they attempted to shoot Al-Shamie.

Three other people were injured, including one thought to be hit by officer gunfire.

The attacker, who is reportedly arrived to the United Kingdom as a youth from his home country in 2006, was fatally wounded at the scene.

A potential bomb he was wearing was found not to be viable, authorities reported.

Zachary Lester
Zachary Lester

Urban planner and writer with over a decade of experience in sustainable development and community engagement.