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The brutal incident at the Heaton Park synagogue in the city of Manchester was outrageous. It claimed two innocent lives, with several others wounded. Yet, this tragedy could have occurred in many locations. It is an event with broader implications for the nation and important lessons. On Thursday morning, the country looked over the edge one of the dark places toward which contemporary society is moving. Having looked and seen, the nation now must understand and step back.

The Attack Began on Yom Kippur

The violence began around 9:30 in the morning, just as morning prayers were being held on Yom Kippur, Judaism's most solemn and sacred day. The synagogue was inevitably well attended. Yet within a short period of time, two Jewish victims were killed in a stabbing, with four others injured, outside what ought to be a sanctuary of peace and fellowship. The attacker was then fatally shot by authorities, perhaps as he tried to enter the building. Reports suggest he carried an explosive device.

Facts Coming to Light

Many specifics have so far been confirmed. The sacred nature of the holiday means certain testimonies have not yet been heard. More complete information will emerge in the days to come. Local law enforcement seem to have responded with speed and efficiency. Security personnel and worshippers demonstrated courage too – a display of heroism that has often marked the public response.

A Deadly Assault on a Jewish House of Worship

What remains clear is this: it was the deadliest assault on a Jewish place of worship in this country in modern times. It was a wholly unprovoked act of antisemitic terror. It was, however, grimly foreseen and feared. It ought to be a alarm bell to the entire country.

Protecting the Jewish Population

The urgent priority is to guarantee that the Jewish population in every part of Britain is protected in all necessary manners from the threat of further attack. This responsibility extends past the security guards who are now a standard feature of Jewish community life, and further than the police, who have swiftly been deployed to guard other synagogues. Responsibility also rests with us all, as citizens. The prime minister was absolutely right to take personal charge, interrupting his schedule and coming back to lead the response. The security of the community and of its members and their loved ones is a governmental duty.

A Shocking Climax to Growing Anti-Jewish Sentiment

This Manchester incident is a recent and alarming peak to a wave of antisemitic violence that has increased since the awful events of October 7, 2023. In the 12 months after the Hamas massacre, there were thousands of reported cases in the UK – including abusive behaviour, intimidation, assaults, vandalism and defilement – a more than doubling from the previous year. We are within days the two-year mark now. The conflict in the Middle East has had terrible repercussions across the globe. The damage gets worse, not better. People of every faith and none feel angry, helpless and frightened. Yet, there is no justification that can excuse any part of what took place outside the house of worship.

A Critical Juncture

On Tuesday, less than 48 hours before the attacker arrived outside the Jewish temple, a senior politician told a gathering that the nation has reached a fork in the road, where it faces a decision between discord and civility. Addresses by leaders are often routine and often overstated, but these words turn out to be truer than he could have known. The road to division lies right in front of us. But the path of respect is the one that we need to choose.