🔗 Share this article

Justice Secretary David Lammy was met with boos and chants of "shame on you" as he spoke at a vigil for victims of the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation incident.

The senior politician was accused by some in the audience of permitting antisemitism to increase during the current administration in power.

The Justice Secretary, who is also Justice Secretary, was further criticized for the administration's move to recognize a Palestinian state as a sovereign entity by people who had gathered to express solidarity with those killed and injured at the Manchester synagogue in the local area on the previous day.

Hostile Exchange at the Vigil

The Deputy Prime Minister faced calls of "go to Palestine, leave us alone", apparently in response to the administration's policy to establish relations with Palestine.

Ahead of the official's address, one attendee 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 started addressing with the word "friends", there were mocking and chuckles from certain in the crowd.

Lammy's Response

The Justice Secretary addressed the audience: "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 heard saying "you enabled it, every Saturday", in relation to the weekly demonstrations through urban centers.

The Justice Secretary continued: "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 asking those who are organizing demonstrations over the weekend to "reflect with all human dignity, grace and understanding" and to "stop and stand back."

After he concluded, another attendee yelled: "They called for our death in the past. Walk past a university some day."

Attendees Voice Concerns

Joanne Lazarus, 61, from Whitefield, Bury, shouted "shame on you" and "you're embarrassing" at Mr Lammy as he addressed at the vigil.

She said she wanted the government to stop weekly demonstrations.

She explained to news agencies: "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."

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 response he received at the vigil.

Attack Details

The memorial had been arranged following the passing of two individuals, who lost their lives during the incident.

The first victim, sixty-six, is reportedly fatally attacked by the attacker while fifty-three-year-old the second victim is believed to be hit by a bullet fired by police as they attempted to shoot Al-Shamie.

Three additional individuals were hurt, including one also believed to have been struck by a police bullet.

Al-Shamie, who is reportedly arrived to the UK as a youth from Syria in the mid-2000s, was shot dead at the location.

A potential bomb he was wearing was determined to be non-functional, authorities reported.