Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar has called for action against rising antisemitism in the United Kingdom following a deadly attack at a Manchester synagogue. The incident occurred on Thursday morning, around 9:30 a.m. local time, when a man drove his car into a crowd near the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue. After exiting the vehicle, he began stabbing worshippers. Two people were killed, and four others were hospitalized in serious condition.

Police responded quickly, shooting the attacker, who also died at the scene. Authorities later arrested two additional suspects in connection with the incident, which has been confirmed as terror-related. This attack took place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

In a social media post, Sa'ar stated, "The truth must be told: blatant and rampant anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli incitement, as well as calls of support for terror, have recently become a widespread phenomenon in the streets of London, in cities across Britain, and on its campuses." He criticized British authorities for failing to address what he described as a toxic wave of antisemitism.

Relations between Israel and the UK have been tense, particularly after the UK government recognized the State of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly last month. British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer returned early from a summit in Denmark to lead an emergency meeting regarding the attack. He acknowledged the rise of antisemitic hatred in the country and pledged to ensure the security of British Jews.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack as "barbaric" and expressed solidarity with the Jewish community in the UK. He warned that "weakness in the face of terrorism only brings more terrorism" and emphasized the need for strength and unity to combat such threats.

The rise in antisemitism has been linked to the conflict that escalated on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken. In retaliation, Israel has conducted extensive bombardments in Gaza, leading to over 66,000 fatalities, according to health authorities in the region.

The UK government reported a 25 percent increase in religious hate crimes in the year leading up to March 2024, attributing this rise primarily to incidents targeting Jewish individuals, with a lesser impact on Muslims. New data on hate crimes is expected to be released next week.

In response to the attack, police have increased their presence at synagogues across the UK. Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson confirmed that both victims were members of the local Jewish community. He noted that armed officers arrived on the scene within seven minutes of the attack.

Witness Rob Kanter, 45, described the experience as "just surreal." He recounted the panic that ensued but expressed gratitude for the swift police response that ensured safety. "Everyone has mixed emotions; most people are very stoic, but it will probably sink in the days and weeks ahead," he said.

Authorities reported that the attacker was wearing an item resembling an explosive device, which was later confirmed to be non-viable. The investigation into the incident continues as the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragic event.