Justice Secretary David Lammy Confronts Hostile Crowd at Vigil for Temple Assault Casualties
Justice Secretary David Lammy was greeted by jeers and shouts of "shame on you" as he appeared at a vigil for victims of the Manchester synagogue attack.
The senior politician was accused by some in the crowd of allowing antisemitism to rise during Labour's time in government.
Lammy, who is also Justice Secretary, was further criticized for the government's decision to acknowledge a Palestinian state as a state by people who had come to show support with those killed and injured at the Manchester synagogue in the local area on the previous day.
Confrontation at the Vigil
The Deputy Prime Minister heard shouts of "go to Palestine, leave us alone", seemingly in reaction to the administration's policy to recognize a Palestinian state.
Before the official's address, 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 protester added.
Another could be heard to shout "Empty words. We want action."
As Mr Lammy began his speech with the word "friends", there were scoffs and laughter from some in the gathering.
Lammy's Response
The Deputy Prime Minister addressed the audience: "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 memorial gathering 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 overheard stating "you enabled it, every Saturday", in reference to the regular pro-Palestine marches through London and other cities.
The Justice Secretary persisted: "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."
Mr Lammy finished speaking by asking those who are organizing demonstrations over the weekend 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."
Attendees Voice Concerns
A community member, sixty-one, from Whitefield, Bury, shouted "shame on you" and "you're embarrassing" at Mr Lammy as he spoke at the memorial.
She said she wanted the government to halt weekly demonstrations.
She told media outlets: "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 continued.
"That hatred is felt through the whole of the UK and through what happened here yesterday. I knew it would happen."
Ms Lazarus, who attended the Heaton Park Shul when she was in her youth, said she did not think Mr Lammy would "care" about the response he encountered at the memorial.
Incident Information
The memorial had been organized following the deaths of two individuals, who died during the incident.
The first victim, 66, is understood to have been stabbed to death by the assailant while fifty-three-year-old Mr Daulby is understood to have been struck by gunfire fired by police as they tried to stop the attacker.
Three other people were hurt, including one thought to be hit by officer gunfire.
The attacker, who is reportedly arrived to the UK as a youth from Syria in the mid-2000s, was shot dead at the location.
A potential bomb he was carrying was determined to be non-functional, police said.