At a vigil for the victims of the recent Manchester synagogue terrorist attack, attendees confronted Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy with shouts demanding he “go to Palestine” and accusing him of having “blood on your hands.” This incident occurred after the tragic deaths of two members of the Jewish community, Melvin Kravitz, 66, and Adrian Daubie, 53, allegedly at the hands of a Syrian immigrant named Jihad al-Shami.
A rally was organized in Manchester to honor the victims and express support for others affected by the attack. Lammy, who recently recognized Palestinian statehood in his previous role, faced intense backlash from the crowd.
Mark Addolstone, the chairman of the Greater Manchester & Regional Jewish Representative Council, addressed the audience, stating, “We are British Jews from England who have served this country for over 150 years. We love Manchester. We love this country.” However, when he introduced Lammy, the crowd erupted in anger.
The deputy prime minister was met with chants of “Go to Palestine,” “You don’t belong here,” and accusations of complicity in the violence. The atmosphere was charged, with attendees expressing their outrage and frustration.
As the crowd shouted “Your Shame,” Addolstone attempted to restore order, insisting that Lammy should be allowed to speak. Yet, when Lammy finally approached the microphone, laughter echoed from the crowd as he began with “friend….”
Despite the interruptions, Lammy emphasized the need to combat violence and terrorism affecting the UK. However, as the rain fell heavier, he struggled with his notes, further angering those present who heckled him once again.
Following his speech, Lammy was once more met with boos and jeers. Some participants at the rally later expressed their feelings about the government’s stance on Palestine, claiming it only encourages terrorism and calling for decisive action rather than empty promises.
The recent attack has drawn comparisons to a previous incident in 2024, when Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited Southport shortly after a stabbing of a child. He raised questions about the ongoing violence, asking how many more lives must be lost before effective action is taken.
