“You are not alone”: CUFI Statement following Manchester synagogue attack
Today, Christians United for Israel would like to express our deep grief and horror at the abhorrent terror attack at the Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester. We pray for the victims, their families, and for the Jewish community in Manchester and across the UK.
Yom Kippur is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar – the Day of Atonement. This is an attack on Jews everywhere. If you know a Jewish person, reach out to them with words of comfort. If you are a church leader, reach out to a local synagogue and offer your support. As Christians, let us make this absolutely clear to our Jewish brethren – YOU ARE NOT ALONE. We will stand with you, today and forever.
As a Gentile woman named Ruth once told her Jewish mother-in-law: “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.” (Ruth 1:16)
Ruth’s words echo our commitment to Britain’s Jewish community on this very sad day – we will stand united with you. Whatever you go through, we will be standing with you shoulder-to-shoulder: “Your people will be my people and Your God my God.”
Today, our nation must ask itself serious questions. We have witnessed antisemitism rise dramatically in the UK since the 7 October 2023 terror attacks. Rather than this Jew-hatred being suppressed, we have seen antisemites emboldened.
Over the past two years, we have seen open support of Hamas in the United Kingdom. We have seen Jews demonised and vilified in our media and on our streets. And two weeks ago, our government shamefully rewarded Hamas terror by recognising a Palestinian state. For two years, anti-Israel protesters on the streets of Manchester, London and other UK cities chanted ‘globalise the intifada’. Today, we have seen it arrive in Britain.
Christians, our moral duty and Biblical call to stand with the Jewish people is more important now than ever before. May the words of Ruth inspire us to respond to this call with conviction and courage and ensure that the Jewish people do not stand alone.
Let us continue to pray for Israel and the Jewish community, and not be silent ‘for Zion’s sake’.
