An Israeli government official has disclosed that far-right activist Tommy Robinson has been extended an invitation to visit Israel, where he is being hailed as a “valuable ally.” Amichai Chikli, Israel’s Minister of Diaspora and Combating Antisemitism, announced his intention to host the “patriotic figure” on behalf of the state later this month. This announcement comes on the heels of a recent terror incident outside a synagogue in Manchester.
Chikli emphasized the strong solidarity between Israel, the Jewish community, and their allies in the United Kingdom following the “horrific” attack at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall.
In a social media post, Chikli praised Tommy Robinson for his outspoken stance against radical Islam, describing him as a fearless advocate for truth and a staunch supporter of Israel and the Jewish people. He reiterated Israel’s commitment to standing with the global Jewish community and allied nations like the UK to combat terrorism and uphold shared Western values.
The tragic vehicle and knife attack outside the synagogue occurred on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. The assailant, 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie, was fatally shot by armed police at the scene. According to reports, Counter Terrorism Policing head Laurence Taylor indicated that the attacker may have been motivated by extremist Islamist beliefs, with investigations ongoing.
Taylor confirmed that six individuals have been detained on suspicion of involvement in terrorist activities related to the incident. The attack resulted in the loss of lives of worshippers Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz, who were remembered as beloved members of their communities.
Tragically, during the intervention, armed police mistakenly shot Mr. Daulby and another bystander while trying to prevent the attacker from entering the synagogue. The Independent Office for Police Conduct has announced its intent to conduct a thorough investigation into the events surrounding the incident.
