Australian Leaders Respond to Manchester Terrorist Attack on Synagogue

Prime Minister Albanese described the attack as ‘heinous.’

A police bomb disposal van is seen near the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue where multiple were injured after a stabbing and car attack on Yom Kippur in the Crumpsall suburb of Manchester, England, on Oct. 2, 2025. Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Australian political leaders have expressed solidarity after a terrorist attack on a Manchester synagogue in the UK.

A man carried out a car-ramming and stabbing attack outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Manchester during Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his support on X.

“I send my condolences to the people of Manchester after the heinous attack on a synagogue on the most sacred day on the Jewish calendar,  Albanese said.

“There is no place for terrorism in our streets and all Australians stand with the UK at this dreadful time.”

Foreign Minister Penny Wong reposted the prime minister’s condolences on her social media.

Two worshippers lost their lives in the assault and the attacker was also killed, leaving three dead in total. Three other men are in hospital with serious injuries, according to police.

Police shot the suspect within minutes after concerns he was wearing an explosive vest, which was later found to be a hoax device.

Greater Manchester Police have named Jihad Al-Shamie, a 35 year old British citizen of Syrian descent, as the person they believe responsible for the attack.

Opposition Says Threat of Terrorism Requires Vigilance

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said to target worshippers and families during the holiest period of the Jewish calendar was despicable.

“All people, regardless of religion have the right to worship in peace and should feel they can do so without fear or apprehension,” Ley said.

“Our thoughts are with the families of those who have been killed and injured in this cowardly, evil attack.”

She said all Australians extended their “deepest sadness, solidarity and compassion.”

“The threat of terrorism requires continual vigilance and courage from our police and first responders,” she added.

Meanwhile, Shadow Foreign Minister Michaelia Cash said she was deeply shocked by the attack.

“Such hatred has no place in any society. The Coalition stands with the victims of this awful attack and with the Jewish community in the UK and here in Australia,” she said.

Liberal Senator Dave Sharma, a former Australian ambassador to Israel, said such acts could never be excused or justified.

“Appalled and horrified by this attack on Britain’s Jewish community, at prayer on the holiest day of the Jewish faith,” he said on X.

Jewish Community in Australia Responds

The Australian Jewish Association (AJA) came out with a strong response.

“There will be many more Islamic terrorist attacks In Western cities,” the AJA claimed in a statement.

Meanwhile, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry’s President Daniel Aghion said the attack was “an outrage” and an attack on freedom.

“Whatever sick reason might have motivated the perpetrator to murder two people at random and seriously injure four others, it points to a collapse of basic moral values,” he said.

“No religious, political or ideological motivation can adequately explain, let alone justify, such an act of calculated barbarity.”

Aghion said their hearts go out to the families of those who were murdered and to injure the whole Jewish community in the UK.

“The Australian Jewish community stands with them in solidarity and we offer them our complete support,” he said.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel grieved with the Jewish community.

“As I warned at the U.N.: weakness in the face of terrorism only brings more terrorism. Only strength and unity can defeat it,” he said on X.