Podcast Summary: Unholy: Two Jews on the News

Episode: Yom Kippur Terror Attack in Manchester, UK

Date: October 2, 2025
Hosts: Yonit Levi (Tel Aviv) & Jonathan Freedland (London)

Overview

In this somber, unscheduled episode, Yonit Levi and Jonathan Freedland respond in real time to the Yom Kippur terror attack on a synagogue in Manchester, England. Recorded only hours after the incident, the episode blends immediate reactions, personal reflections, and analysis of the broader implications for the Jewish community in the UK and worldwide. The hosts dissect not only the details of the attack but also its resonance amid rising antisemitism and the complex interplay of politics, security, and identity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Immediate Reactions and Personal Reflections

• Jonathan recounts learning about the attack while still in synagogue:
  “I was in synagogue today when sort of whispered word went around the congregation of a terrible, of terrible news of a terror attack on a synagogue in Manchester in England…” (00:16)

• He draws a parallel to his childhood memory of the Yom Kippur War of 1973, recalling the chilling feeling of “the outside world seeping in…in deadly fashion.” (00:54)

• Yonit shares her thoughts from Israel:
  She describes checking her phone after breaking her fast and immediately reaching out to Jonathan, emphasizing the sense of dread in the Jewish community:
  “We’re terribly shocked, we’re terribly sad, but we’re not surprised.” (01:40)

2. Details of the Manchester Attack

• Description of the attack:

  • The attacker, identified as Jihad Al Shami, a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent, rammed his car into congregants and started stabbing them outside the synagogue.
  • Two people were killed, and at least two or three were seriously injured. (02:05, 07:30)

• Security response and countermeasures:

  • Security protocols—guards, reinforced doors, and trained community members—were pivotal.
  • “The presence of guards, the presence of gates…those special security doors prevented this assailant getting inside…It could have been much, much worse.” (02:39)
  • Police arrived within 5-6 minutes and killed the assailant, whose “suicide vest” was found to be a non-viable dummy. (03:14)

• Praise for responders:

  • “A lot of praise instantly for the police. They reacted very, very quickly.” (03:05)
  • Special mention of Rabbi Walker, who reportedly helped prevent the attacker from entering the synagogue. (07:56)

3. Community Sentiment: Sorrow, Anxiety, and Defiance

• Enduring fear and resilience:

  • “Tonight… I spoke to one of those people involved in protecting the Jewish community… the first thing they said to me was that this is no surprise. We’ve been preparing for it, we’ve been fearing it...” (02:29)
  • The attack heightened longstanding anxiety, but “the service continued… which is really brave.” (14:26)

• Collective grief and solidarity:

  • Yonit reflects on how “the community [in the UK] is shaken,” drawing a parallel to the Tree of Life synagogue attack in the US. (14:27)

• Acts of quiet defiance:

  • Despite the trauma, Jonathan notes, “To say those prayers, to continue saying them, did feel…like a big stagey act of defiance. But now that I’m thinking about it, it was an act of defiance to just continue…” (13:18)
  • “The question did not even arise actually about people going home. I didn’t hear a single person say they were going to do that for that reason…It just seemed completely. Not even a question.” (15:09)

4. Antisemitism and Broader Political Context

• Rising antisemitism post-October 7th:

  • Incidents of anti-Jewish hate have “massively leapt” and remained high. (09:19)
  • The attack is situated within a broader context of increasing threats to Jewish communities worldwide.

• Government & Police Response:

  • Both the previous Conservative and the current Labour governments are credited with taking Jewish security concerns seriously.
  • The Community Security Trust (CST) maintains “full of praise in my conversations with them again this evening.” (09:52)

• The “Jews Don’t Count” phenomenon:

  • Discussing David Baddiel’s argument, Jonathan explores the idea that, for some progressives, there’s a “blind spot…Exception made around antisemitism, as if somehow…doesn’t quite count as a regular form of racism.” (10:01)
  • He preempts attempts to contextualize or excuse the attack on Israel-Gaza grounds:
  • “If you are going to a synagogue with a knife in your hand to kill Jews, that’s the definition of antisemitism. I’m not really hugely interested in probing the inner workings of your motive.” (11:21)

5. Politics and International Response

• Reactions from UK officials:

  • The Prime Minister and Home Secretary quickly issued statements standing “shoulder to shoulder with the Jewish community.” (04:17)
  • Keir Starmer attended synagogue in solidarity on Yom Kippur.

• Response from Israeli politicians:

  • Jonathan reports that “statements from Israeli politicians in the last few hours…were, quote, profoundly unhelpful. Profoundly unhelpful.” (17:07)
  • The need is to avoid politicizing the tragedy or blaming UK policies: “Right now not helpful…” He stresses this came from British communal officials, not political critics. (17:38)

• Netanyahu’s response and criticism:

  • Yonit reads Netanyahu’s statement linking “weakness in the face of terrorism” to further attacks, and notes the pushback he faced from Israelis online reminding him of October 7th.
  • She quotes Atzim Chayef:
    • “Yom Kippur is the holiest of days when we Jews look inward…Today, I wish those outside our wounded community would do the same.” (18:41)

• Jonathan pushes back against political linkage:

  • “It seems to me that is as facile as if somebody would say if this terror attack had happened before recognition…This is a murderous, anti-Semitic act… It gives them a dignity they do not deserve.” (20:04)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Security:
  • “The presence of guards, the presence of gates…those special security doors prevented this assailant getting inside…” (02:39)
• On antisemitism and motives:
  • “If you are going to a synagogue with a knife in your hand to kill Jews, that’s the definition of antisemitism.” (11:21)
• On communal solidarity:
  • “The place people feel safest is with other Jews, strangely…There will be defiance.” (15:54)
• On political reactions:
  • “Profoundly unhelpful. Do not make it political, do not make it about Israel. This needs to be…about the Jewish community in Britain.” (17:07)
• On resilience:
  • “British Jewish life will continue and must continue.” (13:46)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Immediate revelation and personal memories:
  • 00:16 – Jonathan receives news in synagogue and recalls the Yom Kippur War
• Attack details and security response:
  • 02:05 – Details of the attack, identification of perpetrator
  • 03:14 – Police response, assailant’s background
• Antisemitism, security culture, and community sentiment:
  • 09:19 – Impact of October 7th, increasing incidents
  • 13:18 – Continuing prayer as defiance
  • 15:09 – No one considered leaving the synagogue
• Political and communal responses:
  • 04:17 – Solidarity statements from UK leaders
  • 17:07 – Rebuke of Israeli political reactions
  • 18:41 – Notable quote from Atzim Chayef
  • 20:04 – Criticism of linking foreign policy to terror acts

Final Thoughts & Closing

• Solidarity and sympathy from Yonit to Jonathan and British Jewry:

  • “Just words of profound sympathy and solidarity and strength…” (21:34)

• Preview of upcoming episodes on October 7th and resilience:

  • 22:35 – Interview with released hostage Elisha Abi
  • 23:13 – Building towards the second anniversary of October 7th

• Hope for the future:

  • “Hopefully in safer and happier days.” (23:30)

This episode captures the immediate, raw response to tragedy, balancing grief, defiance, and deep reflection on what it means for the present and future of Jewish life in Britain and beyond.