Justice Secretary David Lammy Confronts Angry Audience at Memorial for Temple Assault Victims

Memorial gathering Official addressing crowd
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 met with jeers and shouts of "shame on you" as he spoke at a memorial for victims of the Manchester synagogue attack.

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

Lammy, who is also Justice Secretary, was further criticized for the administration's move to acknowledge a Palestinian state as a state by individuals who had come to show solidarity with those affected at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation in Crumpsall on Thursday.

Confrontation at the Vigil

The Deputy Prime Minister faced calls of "go to Palestine, leave us alone", seemingly in reaction to the government's decision to recognize a Palestinian state.

Before the official's address, one man 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 protester continued.

Another could be heard to shout "Empty words. We want action."

As Mr Lammy began his speech with the word "friends", there were mocking and chuckles from some in the crowd.

Lammy's Response

The Justice Secretary 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 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 overheard stating "you enabled it, every Saturday", in reference to the weekly demonstrations through London and other cities.

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 organizing 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."

Attendees Voice Concerns

Vigil atmosphere David Lammy at vigil
Justice Secretary David Lammy was faced protests and shouts as he spoke at the rain-soaked vigil in the city

A community member, 61, from Whitefield, Bury, yelled criticisms at Mr Lammy as he spoke 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 continued.

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

Ms Lazarus, 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 memorial.

Attack Details

The memorial had been arranged following the deaths of Melvyn Cravitz and Adrian Daulby, who died during the attack.

The first victim, 66, is understood to have been 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 injured, including one thought to be struck by a police bullet.

Al-Shamie, who is reportedly arrived to the UK as a youth from Syria in 2006, was shot dead at the scene.

A suspected explosive device he was carrying was determined to be non-functional, police said.

Mrs. Shannon Owens MD
Mrs. Shannon Owens MD

A passionate cyclist and gear reviewer with over a decade of experience in the biking industry.