King Charles hopes focus will be on latest visit and not Prince Andrew | Royal | News
King Charles expressed his sympathy for the survivors of the Manchester synagogue attack this afternoon as he sought to pay tribute to the Jewish community in the wake of the “disgusting” crime. Earlier this month, two Jews were killed and three others remained in serious condition after a car crash and stabbing outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish religious calendar.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said the King hoped “the focus will be on the community affected by this heinous crime rather than other issues” as his brother Prince Andrew continues to dominate the news agenda.
Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, were killed on October 2 when Jihad Al-Shamie drove his car into a security guard, stabbed a congregation member and then tried to break into the synagogue. Members of the community barricaded themselves at the entrance, and Mr. Daulby was killed by police gunfire while helping to stop the attacker from entering.
Police believe the attacker, a British citizen of Syrian origin, “may have been influenced by Islamic extremist ideology” but it may take some time for the full circumstances to emerge.
On Monday afternoon, the King met the “heroes” who survived the attack, the families of the victims and people who witnessed the horror that morning.
“I can’t tell you how sorry I am,” he said, speaking to them for more than 40 minutes at the sanctuary.
This marks the King’s first appearance since Prince Andrew’s decision to renounce his titles and honors in a bid to draw a line under the numerous scandals that have surrounded him.
Charles, 76, arrived at the synagogue shortly before 1pm in light drizzle and looked visibly moved as he and Rabbi Walker looked at flowers and messages left outside the synagogue’s doors.
They then entered, where His Majesty was greeted by Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis and senior representatives of the synagogue, who stood in front of a shrine to the two victims. The Chief Rabbi told His Majesty: “We are in the presence of heroes, each person, they are all special.”
Dozens of sympathy cards, a candle and a beautiful bouquet of flowers were placed in the hallway in front of the doors where the attacker tried to break into.
Alan Levy, one of a dozen people who helped barricade the synagogue, told the King: “Thank you so much for your support, we appreciate it very much.”
Heaton Park Trustees Chairman Mr Levy previously said the “monstrous” attacker tried to break down the doors with knives and flower pots. While chatting with the king, he pointed to the entrance the monarch had just entered and said, “Those were the doors right here.”
Speaking afterwards, he said that the King’s visit today “means everything”. “It was wonderful to have the king come and show his support for our community here, as well as the broader Jewish community,” Mr. Levy said. “And he was such a nice guy, so humble.” He added that the visit “absolutely brought joy to our community.”
The King then held a private meeting with a person involved in the attack.
After putting on a kippa skullcap worn by men as a sign of respect to God, His Majesty was taken to the Prayer Hall, where the Chief Rabbi offered a short prayer. Dozens of community members had gathered inside, including families of the victims and those injured in the attack.
He was first introduced to relatives of one of the two dead men and told them: “My deepest sympathies.” The King then chatted with 39-year-old Yoni Finlay and his family, who was shot while trying to barricade the doors.
They talked about their wounds, and the King asked: “Aren’t you in a lot of pain just now?” While warmly caressing her arm.
When he returned to speak to three other people who had seen the incident unfold, he told them: “It’s a terrible thing to come out of nowhere.”
Charles asked if the families had received much support from the authorities and was told that the police had helped them and that the community had stopped by to bring food and see how they were coping.
The King spent another 20 minutes at the house of worship, where he met others who were there, including a security guard named Bernard who was injured in the attack. He remains in hospital, but was temporarily discharged today to meet the king. He attended treatment in a wheelchair and wearing a hospital gown.
Before leaving, he told the King that his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, will be born in September 2022. A framed print of the memorial event held for Elizabeth at the synagogue was presented. Mr. Levy said he was “extremely impressed by it.”
The king had a gift to give; a bottle of whiskey. This is a traditional gesture, as after the morning Shabbat, a Kiddish with whiskey and wine is usually held to continue the celebration.
Charles left the synagogue to loud cheers and applause from hundreds of people who gathered along the main road and took a short walk.
Speaking later, Mr Finlay, who was discharged from hospital last week, said: “The truth is the King came and showed his support, he showed his care and he took his time too. He wasn’t rushed, he talked to everyone and he really didn’t rush too much. It was a special day.”
Asked how he found returning to the scene of the attack, he said: “It’s easier than I thought. It’s hard because I know I’m lucky, not all of us made it.”
He added: “I’m doing well, I’ve had so much support, love and care. Three weeks ago I saw the worst of humanity but since then I’ve definitely seen the best and there are lots of good people out there.”
The King later spoke of the need to “de-radicalise” people from the “horrors of social media” when he met with emergency services involved in the Manchester synagogue terror attack.
The King joined police officers, fire officers and ambulance staff at Greater Manchester Police Station to thank them for their response to the stabbings on October 2 and to hear about their work. “Thank God we caught you,” he told them. “I’m so grateful to you.”
Speaking to faith leaders about the need to find partnerships between religions, he said he hopes to bring community leaders together more. “The scary thing is [it’s] Such is the horror of social media. “It’s very difficult,” he said, adding that we need to “de-radicalize people.”
The King has previously hosted seminars that brought faith leaders together behind closed doors at venues such as Windsor Castle to discuss how to find common ground and bring their communities together.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said of the visit: “This is the King continuing his duty and service in his long-standing mission to bring communities together, especially in difficult times. And he greatly hopes that the focus will be on the community affected by this heinous crime rather than on other issues.”
