UK synagogue attack and Hamas hostage crisis underscore deadly Yom Kippur
Share this @internewscast.com

The ongoing menace of antisemitism was tragically highlighted on Thursday when two individuals were killed during an attack on a U.K. synagogue. This assault occurred while Jews worldwide were observing Yom Kippur, their holiest annual event, amid ongoing international attempts to liberate 46 Israeli captives seized by Hamas.

Details about the attacker, who targeted the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation in the northeast English city of Manchester by driving a vehicle into pedestrians and stabbing at least one person, have not yet been disclosed.

British police shot and killed the suspect, and authorities declared the attack a terrorist incident.

“Regrettably, incidents like today’s in the U.K. are becoming commonplace,” Jonathan Ruhe, Director of Foreign Policy at the Jewish Institute for National Security of America, expressed to Fox News Digital.

Brits call for the return of the hostages

Demonstrators march with placards displaying images of Israeli hostages as U.K. Jewish communities commemorate the first anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Oct. 6, 2024, in Manchester, England. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reached out on X to extend his sympathy to the attack’s victims and conveyed, “Israel mourns with the UK Jewish community following the brutal terror assault in Manchester.

“As I warned at the UN: weakness in the face of terrorism only brings more terrorism. Only strength and unity can defeat it,” he added. 

With the motive behind Thursday’s attack still unclear, Ruhe contended that the reluctance of European leaders to apply “their influence to endorse a sustainable post-Hamas future for Gazans” while instead “criticizing” Israel has fostered increased antisemitic attitudes. 

The attack on the Manchester synagogue comes just two weeks after the U.K. and other European leaders agreed to recognize a Palestinian state after long refusing to do so. 

But anti-Semitism is also on the rise in the U.S., which Ruhe noted is possibly even more concerning given Europe’s history with combating the issue.

Jewish-targeted attacks in the U.K. rose 282% over the last decade, according to data collected by the CST. But in the U.S., antisemitic attacks jumped by 893% in the same 10-year period, according to the Anti-Defamation League, with some 9,354 incidents reported last year. 

“The rise of open and violent anti-Semitism in America is more recent than in much of Europe, but perhaps all the more worrying because of that,” Ruhe said. “Part of the solution is colleges shutting down far-left campus ‘protests’ that intend only to intimidate Jews and anyone who calls for policies short of ending Israel’s existence. 

“It’s been very telling that such ‘protesters’ use militarized language like ‘encampments’ to describe their campus presence and activities.” 

Trump stands in front on Israeli flags

Former President Donald Trump walks on stage at a fighting antisemitism event with Miriam Adelson at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster Aug. 15, 2024, in Bedminster, N.J. (Adam Gray/Getty Images)

But Ruhe pointed out that anti-Semitism is an increasing concern across the political spectrum’s extremes, driving a narrative on both the far left and far right.

“There’s also a somewhat subtler normalization of antisemitism on the far right, for example, major influencers asking whether we need more context in talking about Adolf Hitler and Nazism,” Ruhe said. “There needs to be more serious and clear pushback from our political leaders on narratives like these.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
JSO: Man shot during argument with suspect on Moncrief Road

JSO: Argument on Moncrief Road Leads to Shooting

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said the man suffered a non-life-threatening injury after…
Texas sheriff arrested by his own deputies, now faces new charge for lying to grand jury

Texas Sheriff Arrested by Own Deputies, Now Charged with Lying to Grand Jury

A Texas sheriff, previously taken into custody and detained in his own…
Prosecutors seek 97 years for teen who shot dead sister-in-law, 2 young nephews

Teens Faces 97-Year Sentence for Killing Sister-in-Law and Two Nephews

Prosecutors in New Hampshire will tell a judge Friday that a teenager…
Russian leader responds to American conservative's murder: 'A disgusting atrocity'

Russian President Condemns the Killing of U.S Conservative: ‘Appalling Act’

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his views on Thursday, describing the assassination…
Tim Allen puts things in 'reverse' for season debut of ABC's 'Shifting Gears,' invites some special visitors from his TV past

Tim Allen Rewinds for ABC’s ‘Shifting Gears’ Season Premiere, Welcomes Special Guests from Past TV Shows

BURBANK, Calif. — “Shifting Gears” is revving up for its second season.…
Sean 'Diddy' Combs' is set to be sentenced and faces the possibility of years in prison

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Awaits Sentencing, Could Face Lengthy Prison Term

Sean “Diddy” Combs faces sentencing Friday in a sordid criminal case that…
President Donald Trump pauses $2.1B for Chicago infrastructure projects, leveraging shutdown to pressure Democrats

Trump Halts $2.1 Billion for Chicago Infrastructure, Using Shutdown to Sway Democrats

CHICAGO — White House budget director Russ Vought announced that the Trump…
Trial day 2 explores evidence in Prince Holland case

Second Day of Hearings Delves into Prince Holland Case Evidence

Jurors were shown of crime scene photos, walked through bullet-ridden evidence and…
Bryan Kohberger says he was diagnosed with 4 mental disorders before guilty plea: report

Idaho Judge Describes Bryan Kohberger Crime Scene Photos as ‘Deeply Disturbing,’ Halts Their Public Release

A judge in Idaho has blocked the release of graphic images from…
'9-1-1' season nine preview: Mark Consuelos sends two beloved members of the 118 to space, chaos ensues

Preview of ‘9-1-1’ Season Nine: Mark Consuelos Sends Two Favorite Characters from the 118 Unit into Space, Leading to Mayhem

“9-1-1” fans, it looks like season nine is going to be out…
Massive fire erupts at Chevron refinery near Los Angeles

Huge blaze breaks out at Chevron refinery near Los Angeles

A fire erupted at the Chevron oil refinery near Los Angeles on…
DOE Takes a Scalpel to 'Nearly $8B' in Blue States' Green Energy Waste During Schumer Shutdown

DOE Targets Nearly $8 Billion in Green Energy Mismanagement in Blue States Amid Schumer Shutdown

The Democrats seem to have significantly misjudged their strategy in causing a…