Manchester Synagogue Attack

I disagree profoundly, Oreo, for its in the everyday contact - for people just dont "pass" - we/they actually engage with each other

My hairdresser at the gym is a Muslim: we've often discussed religion itself.

Oreo

Passing different nationalities in shops or races or religions is no indicator.

Yes but it gives us a little flicker of hope and lightens our days.

I think “ Ihaven’t seen it” is a dismissive response.

As Nelson sad “I see no ships.” It’s convenient to have a blind eye.

So it does, StripeyGran.

The gym is delightful. where else would I meet B from the Yoruba tribe of Nigeria, or S, from Eritrea (she's a cleaner I teach a bit of yoga too), or the lady from Somalia - with a mask: we talked about our families. Open hearts and minds, folks, until the violence starts, and then act swiftly and appropriately.

I have to go now - not just walking away.

Our security services are stretched to the limit so unfortunately some of those radicalised people will escape the net.
I am concerned that Jewish people are feeling they have to leave the UK as they are no longer safe here. I would feel the same if my children were being spat at or having things thrown at them as they walk to school. There are also worse dangers of course as the attack a few days ago showed.

Now that I’ve come back on the thread I might as well post how impressed I was with the crowd at the Man United football match.

I didn’t watch the clip because I was afraid that there would be shouting and protest during the minutes silence. Not a sound. Not even a cough.

Such respect.

There was a police officer stationed all night on Thursday night in the reception area of my mum’s (88) residential care home, 5 minutes from where the attack took place, just in case. It’s filled with predominantly Jewish residents.

This is the reality we Jews are living with in Britain now. No wonder temperatures are high.

And that isn't a country I want to live in. Not facing up to this issue isn't going to help.

I am rather saddened that what should be a thread about the heinous attack on a Synagogue has plunged the depths of whataboutery

The Jewish community in the U.K. is hurting and frightened.

There are numerous threads regarding Islam and Islamophobia and radicalism in that religion…

Latest:
Laurence Taylor, GMP’s head of counter-terrorism policing, said: “At this stage, we believe al-Shamie may have been influenced by extreme Islamist ideology. Establishing the full circumstances of the attack is likely to take some time.

“We have now arrested three further people, one man and two women, aged between 18 and mid-40s. This brings the number of people in custody arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism to six.

“We will be seeking warrants of further detention for all six individuals, and will seek to issue an update on this later.

“I would like to once again stress that our investigation is still in its early stages. I know there is significant public interest in this case, and we will seek to provide timely updates on our progress where possible.

“We would ask people to refrain from speculation or sharing unverified information as that could potentially cause unnecessary delays in our inquiries and additional upset for all those impacted by these horrific events.”

I totally agree GG13 I've listened to a number of different speakers from different religions and community groups who have all stressed community cohesion and the need to come together but it seems to fall on deaf ears. The comments by the Rabbi yesterday on the 5.00pm news did talk about Palestine, I won't attempt to paraphrase what she said but it was balanced, humanitarian and worth listening to.

Thanks fgt.
The response seems to have learned quite a lot of lessons for which I am grateful.

Whenever a vile act is reported and remarked on here on Gransnet, it will only be minutes before there are people responding. Quite right too, but why is it that, again within minutes, posters will start arguing and insulting other posters?Why not stick to the issue and let people give their opinions without the resulting nastiness? It somehow dilutes the seriousness of the issue.

Post from Oreo has been criticised for responding with her distress of the murders, she didn’t speak of any posters

Anniebach

Post from Oreo has been criticised for responding with her distress of the murders, she didn’t speak of any posters

I know! And I didn’t imply she did!

A big thank you to all who have said very kind and supportive things to me both on this thread and by pms, I can tell you it’s really appreciated and I know other Jewish posters feel the same.😃

I have to work this evening and DP is insisting on dropping me there in his van, I usually cycle but this week it may pay to be extra cautious.We aren’t obviously Jewish but it’s known amongst our neighbours and it’s not exactly Park Lane where we live.You just don’t know what’s being stirred up at the minute.

Oreo,
Sorry that you, and others in your position, have to go through this. It makes me (and I’m sure, others), feel so helpless. Keep safe.

Thanks, we will.

Quote Crossstitchfan Sun 05-Oct-25 11:17:05
Anniebach
Post from Oreo has been criticised for responding with her distress of the murders, she didn’t speak of any posters
I know! And I didn’t imply she did!

So sorry, i wasn’t speaking of your post

No problem, Anniebach. Sorry, I jumped to the wrong conclusion and I should have known better! Especially as it’s you, and we are usually on the same wavelength.

That was a fairly lovely example of sorting out a misunderstanding.

I am delighted with your verdict that folk no longer conflate the two completely separate issues, which is why I asked earlier, but did not get, for clarification on a post, not dobbing anyone in, that actually still exists on this thread.
I shall move on, and not expect ever to read such a 'confusion' on these posts.
Thank you for your re-assurance.
Now let's get back to practical suggestion for helping.
How many have we had so far?

Good advice Fried, about 'sharing unverified information'. That's one positive step in helping.

As the OP I'd like to step in here and give some context and clarity about Jews, their faith and other faiths.

If Jews are anything, they are resilient. They've been expelled from lands and excluded from society since biblical times but they still continue to contribute positively to society, are by nature peace loving, and almost always integrate seamlessly into whatever communities they settle in. They have to experience and listen to guarded and covert anti-semitism but still bounce back.

There's a whole history of interfaith co-operation including (in the UK alone) The Council of Christian and Jews: Children of Abraham (Imams and Rabbis): Faiths Forum for London: Three Faiths Forum: Nisa-Nashim (Jewish Muslim Women's Network) - to name but a few. There are many more both nationally and regional.

Our late Queen, and now King Charles have always included the Chief Rabbi (and other Rabbis) in their circle of "learned" advisors. The King, as Prince of Wales had a partciularly close relationship with the late Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks.

Jewish leaders be they Rabbis or civilians have always been respectfully invited and have respectfully attended royal or state occasions on a Saturday, but do not enter a non-Jewish place of worship on that day. They do however stand outside.

Most Jews will tell you that at some time in their life, someone has said to them "Oh - I didn't realise you were Jewish" with surpise and almost incredulity, both singling them out as somehow "different" and expressing amazement that they are quite "normal".

The majority of Jews would like nothing more than to live in peace beside their neighbours, be they Arabs, Africans or any other denomination.

Yes of course we know that the actions of the Israeli government doesn't mean all Jews agree - just as not all British people don't agree with the actions of the British Government.

Jews are past masters at recognising anti-semitism in whatever form it takes. I was particularly disheartened that the marches went ahead yesterday with not a thought for those grieving and trying to come to terms with the loss of a loved one and the awful atrocity in Manchester.

I would respectfully suggest that whilst things are still very raw, some posters might wish to refrain from moving too far away from the original subject matter and bringing up wider and more contentious issues, so as not to cause upset and stir up emotions that have already been shaken to the core this week and may be particularly sensitive at this time.