Justice Secretary David Lammy Faces Angry Audience at Memorial for Synagogue Attack Victims
Justice Secretary David Lammy was met with jeers and shouts of "shame on you" as he appeared at a vigil for victims of the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation incident.
The senior politician was accused by some in the audience of allowing anti-Jewish sentiment to rise during the current administration in power.
Lammy, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, was further condemned for the administration's move to acknowledge a Palestinian state as a state by individuals who had gathered to express support with those killed and injured at the Manchester synagogue in the local area on Thursday.
Hostile Exchange at the Memorial Service
The Deputy Prime Minister heard shouts of "go to Palestine, leave us alone", apparently in response to the administration's policy to recognize a Palestinian state.
Ahead of Mr Lammy's speech, one attendee could be heard to shout: "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 individual added.
Another could be overheard saying "Empty words. We want action."
As Mr Lammy started addressing with the word "friends", there were mocking and chuckles from some in the gathering.
Lammy's Response
The Deputy Prime Minister told the crowd: "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 vigil crowd as the official said "that is why we stand in defiance of those terrorists who seek to divide us."
There were shouts from attendees, and one man could be heard saying "you enabled it, every Saturday", in relation to the regular pro-Palestine marches through urban centers.
The Deputy Prime Minister 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."
The official finished speaking by asking those who are organizing demonstrations over the coming days 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."
Community Members Speak
A community member, sixty-one, from the local area, yelled criticisms at Mr Lammy as he addressed at the vigil.
She said she wanted the government to halt pro-Palestine marches.
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."
The attendee, who was familiar with the synagogue when she was younger, said she did not think the official would "care" about the response he received at the vigil.
Incident Information
The vigil had been organized following the deaths of Melvyn Cravitz and Adrian Daulby, who lost their lives during the incident.
The first victim, sixty-six, is reportedly stabbed to death by the attacker while fifty-three-year-old the second victim is understood to have been struck by gunfire discharged by officers as they tried to stop the attacker.
Three other people were injured, including one thought to be hit by officer gunfire.
Al-Shamie, who is reportedly arrived to the UK as a child from Syria in 2006, was shot dead at the scene.
A potential bomb he was wearing was determined to be non-functional, police said.