The United Kingdom’s government and police urged organizers of a planned anti-Israel protest to cancel the event following this week’s deadly synagogue attack, saying demonstrators should “respect the grief of British Jews.”
“I know that planned protests over the weekend, just a few days before the anniversary of the October 7 attacks, as well as in the shadow of the Manchester attack, will cause distress,” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer wrote in an opinion piece for The Jewish Chronicle. He called on the protest organizers to reconsider and to “respect the grief of British Jews this week.”
“This is a moment of mourning. It is not a time to stoke tension and cause further pain,” Starmer added.
Members of the Jewish community comfort each other near to the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue, in Crumpsall, Manchester, England, on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, after police reported that two people were killed. (Peter Byrne/PA via AP)
Gideon Falter, chief executive of Campaign Against Antisemitism, decried the attack and criticized the lack of action by government officials and police before the deadly incident.
“This is the intifada globalized. What did you think it was? ‘Globalize the intifada’ means Jews on the ground in a pool of blood, dead outside a synagogue on the holiest day of the Jewish year,” Falter said in a video posted to X. “Where are our institutions that are supposed to make sure that this sane, tolerant, decent place remains the Britain that we know and love?”
The families of Cravitz and Daulby released tributes to their deceased loved ones.
“Melvin would do anything to help anyone. He was so kind, caring and always wanted to chat and get to know people. He was devoted to his wife, family and loved his food. He will be sorely missed by his wife, family, friends and community,” Cravitz’s family said.
“Adrian Daulby was a hero and tragically lost his life in the act of courage to save others. He was a beloved brother, loving uncle to his four nieces and one nephew and a cherished cousin. The family is shocked by the tragic, sudden death of such a lovely, down-to-earth man,” Daulby’s family said.
Police said Daulby was among the worshippers who prevented Al Shamie from entering the synagogue.
