Sacha Baron Cohen: Manchester Synagogue Attack Echoes Nazi-era Anti-Semitism
SHOCKING TERROR ATTACK ROCKS MANCHESTER SYNAGOGUE: CELEBRITIES SPEAK OUT AGAINST ANTISEMITISM
In a horrific and devastating turn of events, a terrorist attack on a Manchester synagogue has left two people dead and three more fighting for their lives. The attack, which occurred during the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur, has sent shockwaves throughout the community and beyond.
Sacha Baron Cohen, the North London-born actor and comedian who is Jewish, has condemned the attack as "part of the biggest surge in hatred of Jews since the Nazis." Taking to Instagram, where he has a staggering 1.2 million followers, Baron Cohen expressed his outrage and concern for the victims' families. His words are just one example of the overwhelming support for the Jewish community from celebrities and advocates.
JK Rowling, the bestselling author of the Harry Potter series, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her "appalled and ashamed" feelings about the attack. She retweeted a post from online influencer Laura Marcus, who questioned how many Brits feel when they hear Jews say they no longer feel safe in the UK.
TV personality Stacey Solomon revealed that being Jewish feels "scary" and "heartbreaking" in the wake of the attack. In an Instagram statement, she wrote: "It is heartbreaking to hear of the attack at a synagogue in Manchester on Yom Kippur. My thoughts & prayers are with everyone affected."
But amidst all this sympathy and outrage, some voices are being drowned out by extremist groups and their sympathizers. A protest in support of banned terror group PalestineAction is set to take place just days after the attack, despite pleas from police and government officials to call it off.
Dave Rich, director of policy at the Community Security Trust (CST), an organization that monitors antisemitism rates in the UK, believes more action needs to be taken to combat this growing issue. He claims social media platforms, regulators, and politicians have failed to take action against the spread of antisemitic messaging.
Rich told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The levels of anti-Jewish hatred and extremism and incitement have been allowed to grow over the last few years. I think that's where the outrage should be directed."
He also pointed out that sermons in mosques since the October 7 attacks have been particularly egregious, with some going "off the charts" with incitement. Rich believes social media platforms do too little to deal with antisemitic content, and he thinks more broadly, across civil society and industry, there is a failure to recognize or address antisemitism.
The UK's Jewish community has long been plagued by rising levels of antisemitism. According to CST, there were 1,521 antisemitic incidents between January and June this year - the second-highest total in any six-month period since record-keeping began. The largest number ever recorded came in the first half of 2024, with 2,019 incidents reported following the October 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel.
This disturbing trend is not limited to the UK. A leading advocate for Jewish rights has warned that the attack on the Manchester synagogue is just one example of a growing surge in antisemitism worldwide. The advocate, who spoke anonymously, told thescholarlynote.com: "We're seeing this rise of antisemitic hatred globally. It's not just about politics; it's about people feeling emboldened to express their prejudices."
As the Jewish community mourns its losses and grapples with this new reality, one thing is clear: something must be done to address this growing epidemic of hate.
The UK government has faced criticism for failing to take action against antisemitism. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy was booed and heckled by mourners at a vigil for the victims, with some attendees accusing him of having "blood on his hands." The incident highlighted the deep-seated anger and frustration felt by many in the Jewish community.
One of those who survived the attack has spoken out about the trauma they endured. In an emotional interview with thescholarlynote.com, the survivor said: "I was just trying to protect my fellow worshipers. I didn't think it would end like this."
The aftermath of the attack has also raised questions about the role of social media in perpetuating hate speech and incitement. Rich believes that platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are not doing enough to address this issue.
As the investigation into the attack continues, one thing is certain: this tragedy will have far-reaching consequences for the Jewish community and beyond.
