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

Memorial gathering Official addressing crowd
Justice Secretary David Lammy was booed and heckled as he spoke at a vigil close to the location of the attack

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

The former foreign secretary was accused by some in the crowd of permitting antisemitism to increase during Labour's time in government.

The Justice Secretary, who is additionally Deputy Prime Minister, was also criticized for the administration's move to acknowledge Palestine as a state by people who had come to show support with those killed and injured at the Manchester synagogue in the local area 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 administration's policy to establish relations with Palestine.

Ahead of Mr Lammy's speech, one attendee could be overheard yelling: "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 heard to shout "Empty words. We want action."

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

Official's Address

The Deputy Prime Minister told the crowd: "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 continued.

"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 memorial gathering as Mr Lammy said "that is why we stand in defiance of those terrorists who seek to divide us."

There were shouts from attendees, and one man could be heard saying "you enabled it, every Saturday", in reference to the regular pro-Palestine marches through London and other cities.

The Justice Secretary continued: "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 shouted: "They called for our death in the past. Walk past a university some day."

Community Members Speak

Vigil atmosphere David Lammy at vigil
Justice Secretary David Lammy was met with heckles and jeers as he addressed at the rain-soaked memorial in the city

Joanne Lazarus, sixty-one, from Whitefield, Bury, shouted "shame on you" and "you're embarrassing" at the official as he spoke at the memorial.

She expressed desire for the administration to stop pro-Palestine marches.

She explained to 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."

Ms Lazarus, who attended the Heaton Park Shul when she was in her youth, said she did not think the official would "care" about the reaction he encountered at the memorial.

Attack Details

The memorial had been arranged following the deaths of two individuals, who died during the attack.

The first victim, 66, is reportedly stabbed to death by the attacker while fifty-three-year-old Mr Daulby is believed to be struck by gunfire fired by police as they tried to stop Al-Shamie.

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

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

A potential bomb he was wearing was determined to be non-functional, authorities reported.

Alison Miller
Alison Miller

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