I was shocked by the vicious attack on the synagogue and wanted to send my condolences and say to the families of Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby that you are much in my thoughts.
It is terrible to see this sort of antisemitism attack happening in my own country.
Around the world populist politicians are getting increasingly powerful, fanning the flames of fear and hatred. Racism and antisemitism are on the rise.
For fifty years, I have been working with many amazing people around the world to fight for, champion and defend human rights. With Amnesty, with Witness and then later with The Elders, they have all had a clear intent to push for human rights, rights enshrined in the Universal Decoration of Human Rights which we want to see protected in every one of the world’s 195 countries.
For many of these years I have been one of the many who spoke out against the injustices and extraordinary suffering of the Palestinian people. However, when brutal attacks against the Jewish or Israeli people have happened, as in Oct 7th or on Thursday, in the synagogue in Manchester, it is really important for us to speak out and condemn them too. To speak out against antisemitism and racism wherever and whenever it occurs.
Life is so much more hopeful when people are being treated fairly and equally. Every life counts and every death devastates.
Are we moving to a future ruled by division and hatred or compassion and love? I know which of those I’d like to see for my kids and grandkids.
-pg
5 October, 2025