Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy Faces Angry Audience at Vigil for Synagogue Attack Victims
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy was met with boos and chants of "shame on you" as he spoke at a vigil for those affected of the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation incident.
The former foreign secretary was accused by some in the crowd of permitting anti-Jewish sentiment to increase during the current administration in power.
The Justice Secretary, who is additionally Deputy Prime Minister, was further condemned for the government's decision to acknowledge a Palestinian state as a sovereign entity by individuals who had come to show support with those affected at the Manchester synagogue in the local area on the previous day.
Confrontation at the Memorial Service
The Deputy Prime Minister heard shouts of "go to Palestine, leave us alone", seemingly in response to the administration's policy to establish relations with Palestine.
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 individual continued.
Another could be overheard saying "Empty words. We want action."
As the Justice Secretary started addressing with the word "friends", there were scoffs and laughter from certain in the crowd.
Official's Address
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 added.
"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."
Protests continued 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 calls from the crowd, and one man could be heard saying "you enabled it, every Saturday", in relation to the weekly demonstrations through urban centers.
The Deputy Prime Minister 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."
The official concluded his remarks by asking those who are planning demonstrations over the weekend to "reflect with all human dignity, grace and understanding" and to "stop and stand back."
After he concluded, another attendee shouted: "They called for our death in the past. Walk past a university some day."
Attendees Voice Concerns
Joanne Lazarus, 61, from the local area, shouted "shame on you" and "you're embarrassing" at Mr Lammy as he addressed at the vigil.
She said she wanted the administration to halt weekly demonstrations.
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."
Ms Lazarus, who was familiar with the synagogue when she was in her youth, said she did not think the official would "care" about the reaction he encountered at the vigil.
Incident Information
The vigil had been arranged following the deaths of two individuals, who died during the attack.
Mr Cravitz, sixty-six, is reportedly stabbed to death by the attacker while 53-year-old the second victim is believed to be struck by gunfire fired by police as they attempted to shoot the attacker.
Three other people were injured, including one thought to be struck by a police bullet.
The attacker, who is reportedly arrived to the United Kingdom as a child from his home country in 2006, was fatally wounded at the location.
A suspected explosive device he was carrying was determined to be non-functional, authorities reported.