King Charles III has conveyed a heartfelt message to the victims of the Manchester synagogue terror attack, stating that the memory of those impacted by the incident remains "vividly" in his mind. The message was read at a memorial service held on Monday evening at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation in Crumpsall, where two individuals lost their lives.
The attack occurred on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year for Jews, when Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, drove into the synagogue gates and began stabbing worshippers while wearing a fake suicide belt. Al-Shamie, a Syrian-born British citizen, was killed by police gunfire at the scene. He had been on bail for an alleged rape at the time of the attack.
Melvin Cravitz, 66, and Adrian Daulby, 53, were killed during the incident. Cravitz died from knife wounds inflicted by Al-Shamie, while Daulby sustained a fatal gunshot wound from police during the confrontation. Three other men were injured but have since been released from the hospital.
In his message, King Charles, accompanied by Queen Camilla, expressed that their thoughts and prayers are with all those whose lives were tragically disrupted. "Though the months have passed, the sense of shock and sorrow remains undiminished," the King stated, recalling his visit to the synagogue shortly after the attack. "It was a deeply moving and heartbreaking experience. To meet those who had been present that morning, and to hear their personal accounts of what they had experienced, was profoundly moving and troubling."
He further noted that the memory of those who died and were injured "remains especially vivid in my mind." The King commended the "strength, resilience, and determination" shown in the aftermath of the trauma, which left an "indelible impression" upon him. He also expressed gratitude for the "spirit of unity, compassion, and support" that emerged during those difficult days.
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis addressed the congregation, characterizing the event as a "hate crime of the worst kind," inspired by the demonization of Israel and, by extension, Jewish people. He offered condolences to the Cravitz and Daulby families, emphasizing that the victims would be remembered for their lives of kindness and selflessness.
Yoni Finlay, who was hit by a police bullet during the attack, shared that his life changed irrevocably on Yom Kippur last year. He spoke of meeting inspirational people and feeling that while they are all different now, they are also better people. Finlay asserted that "an evil person tried to destroy us on Yom Kippur, and together we have not let that evil win."
Communities Secretary Angela Rayner described Cravitz and Daulby as "two men of such immense kindness killed in an act of antisemitic hate," adding that "any attack on Jews is an attack on us all." She stressed the importance of never forgetting the victims and reiterated a commitment to overcoming antisemitism and ensuring the safety of all Jewish people.
Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson acknowledged the attack as a "terrorist atrocity" that has contributed to the erosion of security for Jewish people. He assured the community of the police's commitment to serving them and defending the Jewish community in Greater Manchester and beyond.