Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy Confronts Angry Crowd at Vigil for Temple Assault Casualties

Vigil scene David Lammy speaking
Justice Secretary David Lammy was booed and heckled as he addressed at a memorial service close to the location of the attack

Justice Secretary David Lammy was met with jeers and shouts of "shame on you" as he appeared at a memorial for victims of the Manchester synagogue attack.

The former foreign secretary was accused by some in the audience of permitting anti-Jewish sentiment to rise during Labour's time in power.

Lammy, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, was also criticized for the administration's move to acknowledge a Palestinian state as a sovereign entity by people who had gathered to express support with those affected at the Manchester synagogue in the local area on the previous day.

Confrontation at the Memorial Service

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

Ahead of Mr Lammy's speech, 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 the Justice Secretary began his speech with the word "friends", there were scoffs and laughter from certain 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 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 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 individual could be overheard stating "you enabled it, every Saturday", in relation to the weekly demonstrations through urban centers.

The Deputy Prime Minister 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."

The official finished speaking by asking those who are organizing pro-Gaza marches over the coming days to "reflect with all human dignity, grace and understanding" and to "stop and stand back."

After he concluded, another person 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 met with protests and shouts as he spoke at the rain-soaked memorial in the city

Joanne Lazarus, sixty-one, from Whitefield, Bury, yelled criticisms at the official as he addressed at the vigil.

She expressed desire for the administration to stop weekly demonstrations.

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."

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

Attack Details

The memorial had been organized following the deaths of two individuals, who died during the incident.

Mr Cravitz, 66, is understood to have been stabbed to death by the attacker while 53-year-old the second victim is believed to be struck by gunfire fired by police as they attempted to shoot Al-Shamie.

Three other people were hurt, including one thought to be struck by a police bullet.

The attacker, who is reportedly arrived to the UK as a youth from his home country in 2006, was shot dead at the location.

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

Robin Jensen
Robin Jensen

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