Crumpsall MP Graham Stringer has said it was a mistake for the Government to recognise a Palestinian state, amid anger in the Jewish community following the Manchester synagogue attack.
Speaking to GB News, Mr Stringer described the community as “angry and upset” and called for greater protection against extremists.
He said the attack on Heaton Park synagogue, which left three people in hospital, was not a surprise to local Jewish residents, who had warned such an incident could happen.
He said: “They also find it unacceptable that some people are wearing pro-Palestinian badges and saying horrible things to others, including when they are receiving treatment in the NHS.
Graham Stringer said it was a ‘mistake’
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GB NEWS
“They believe the NHS should be dealing with those individuals and feel these people shouldn’t be employed.
“The community is also concerned about the BBC. When David Lammy was booed yesterday, they made clear their frustration over the Government’s recognition of the State of Palestine.
“Overall, they are angry, upset, and want more protection. They want demonstrations where slogans calling for the killing of Jews are being chanted to be stopped.”
He added: “I think it’s a mistake to recognise Palestine. I don’t think the Government has done enough in terms of educating people.
“It’s easy to take decisions if you’re in the cabinet. But there is also a responsibility on the leadership to export, not only to go out and meet people to explain why they’re doing it.
“And I’ve not heard enough from ministers who are obviously concerned about the slaughter that’s been happening in Gaza, but there have not been enough statements.
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“It’s happened, but not enough that Hamas’s policy from its inception has been to kill Jews and destroy Israel. And it just simply isn’t said enough by Labour MPs, by Labour Government ministers.
“And the fact is that the issue in Gaza could have been sorted out within days of the horrible attack on October 7 on Israelis.
“If the hostages have been given back. But what sustains the war, yes, as being those hostages, dead and alive, have been held and Hamas has refused to give them up.”
On Thursday, an attack on a local synagogue saw two men killed and three in hospital with serious injuries.
On Friday morning, it was announced by police that the two men killed were named as Adrian Daulby, 53, and 66-year-old Melvin Cravitz.
The attacker, who was shot dead at the scene, was confirmed to be 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie, a British citizen of Syrian descent.
Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson said the only shots fired outside the synagogue came from armed officers, as Al-Shamie himself was unarmed.
In a statement released on Friday, Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Rabbi Daniel Walker, its president Hilary Foxler and chairman of trustees Alan Levy, described the terror attack as a “desecration”.
The trio went on to say the incident was “an episode that has changed us all forever”.
In a tribute to those who died, their statement added: “These were not simply members of our synagogue – they were our friends, our family – and their absence leaves a void that can never be filled.”
It is understood that police are still no closer to providing a conclusive motive for the attack.