London Mayor Sadiq Khan Urges unity Following Synagogue Attack, Condemns Divisive Rhetoric
london, October 13, 2025 – London Mayor Sadiq Khan has issued a strong call for unity and resilience in the wake of the recent attack targeting Jews in Manchester, emphasizing the importance of shared values and condemning attempts to exploit tragedy for political gain. Khan’s statement comes amid heightened concerns over rising antisemitism and broader societal divisions.
Khan highlighted the shared commitment to community service demonstrated by people of all faiths across the UK, citing examples of collaboration in homeless shelters and food banks. He argued that London’s diversity is a strength, and that common purpose found within places of worship – churches, mosques, synagogues, mandirs, temples, and gurdwaras – offers an antidote to hatred. The Mayor’s message directly addresses a climate where, he asserts, some politicians and commentators are actively exacerbating tensions.
“I don’t see my faith as something that sets me apart from my fellow Londoners, as I believe our different beliefs can bring us closer,” Khan wrote. He criticized those who “seem unwilling to defend this common humanity, choosing instead to exacerbate tensions by appealing to our worst instincts,” labeling such behavior “reckless and wrong” and a presentation of “callous disregard for the safety of the people they are supposed to serve.”
Khan’s appeal for unity follows the deaths of two Jewish men who were seeking to pray in Manchester, an event described by The Guardian’s Jonathan Freedland as a potential “turning point.” The Mayor’s statement underscores the need to resist divisive forces and build “stronger, kinder communities where we can live together in peace.”
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