A Pro-Palestine march taking place just metres from where two people were stabbed to death in a terror attack has been branded as ‘disgusting’.
The march, which was pre-organised, is taking place at Manchester Piccadilly station on the same day that two Jewish people were killed by a knifeman outside the Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester.
It’s timing has sparked fury online, with people urging the protest to be stopped following the attack, which also saw four people taken to hospital in serious condition.
One person posted on X: ‘How disgusting to allow this to go ahead today. Imagine how every Jewish person living in Manchester feels, absolutely abhorrent!’
Another added: ‘@AndyBurnhamGM what a load of rubbish you just said on the news. You are letting these demons protest in Manchester on this day of all days. Shame on you and your empty words.’
A second protest taking place in Parliament Square has sparked similar fury, including from Conservative MP Susan Hall who said described it as ‘disgraceful, disrespectful, despicable behaviour’.
The protest was organised earlier today in solidarity with the members of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a convoy of around 40 boats carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, which was intercepted by Israeli forces in the early hours of Thursday morning.
People walk through the streets during a pro Palestinian march in Manchester centre on Thursday evening
People scuffle amid a pro Palestinian march in Manchester centre on the day a knifeman killed two people at a synagogue in the city
A demonstrator speaks through a megaphone, as people gather in Parliament Square to protest and demand protection for the Global Sumud Flotilla
At around 9.30am today, a man with a suspected suicide belt killed at least two people outside a Manchester synagogue before being shot by police.
A car was driven into a crowd and a man was stabbed outside the building where people inside were celebrating Yom Kippur – the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said four other victims are in a serious condition after the attack outside Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall.
The force has now confirmed the suspect is also dead, after previously being unable to approach his body due to ‘suspicious items on his person’.
Bomb disposal experts are at the scene, but GMP said a loud noise heard earlier in the day was officers gaining entry to his vehicle as a precaution.
