Jewish community joins vigil to honour Westminster terror victims
Rabbis and other Jewish leaders stand together with thousands for moving show of unity in Trafalgar Square.
Jack Mendel is the former Online Editor at the Jewish News.
Members of the Jewish community have taken part in an emotional vigil in the wake of the Westminster terror attack.
Four people died and 40 injured in the atrocity outside Parliament on Wednesday – six remain in a critical condition.
Among those attending the vigil led by Mayor Sadiq Khan in Trafalgar Square on Thursday were Mitzvah Day Founder Laura Marks and Rabbis Hershel Gluck, Abraham Pinter and Natan Levy – along with Israeli Ambassador to the UK Mark Regev.
Speaking to Jewish News, Rabbi Gluck said: “We saw a dagger to the heart of London” on Wednesday afternoon.
Calling the terrorist attack “an at of hate, murder and mayhem in the centre of British democracy”, he also urged Londoners to stay united against hatred. “Today we saw a very different story. We saw different people from very diverse many communities coming together here in Trafalgar Square. The centre of London life, to show that we all live in harmony that we all work together, that we all condemn Wednesday’s act, and we ant to work together for a better future for all Londoners for all communities.”
Rabbi Abraham Pinter said: “Violence has no place in faith or in any community. It’s those who use violence who are insulting faith and we have to show that this is where we are. We will work together and co-operate together and really achieve.”
Mark Regev tweeted that it was “Moving to be at Trafalgar Square vigil with so many others, coming together in defiance against the forces of terrorism and hatred.”
Hours before the vigil, police said a 75-year-old man had died from injuries sustained in Wednesday’s outrage – the fourth innocent victim of the attack.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “The man had been receiving medical treatment in hospital following the attack and life support was withdrawn this evening.”
Multi-faith leaders, residents, tourists, police and politicians also attended the candlelit vigil in London’s Trafalgar Square on Thursday, which was led by Mayor Sadiq Khan.
He told the packed square: “Those evil and twisted individuals who tried to destroy our shared way of life will never succeed and we condemn them.
“The victims were people who came from all corners of our world. This is a time to express our gratitude to the heroism of our police officers and emergency services, who ran towards danger to help, and at the same time they encouraged others to run for safety.
“London is a great city, full of amazing people from all backgrounds. When Londoners face adversity we always pull together.”
Home Secretary Amber Rudd paid tribute to police officer Keith Palmer, stabbed to death by the Westminster attacker, saying: “He was courageous, he was brave, and he was doing his duty.
“And he was not alone in doing that. I know that all officers of the Met are like that and in my experience, so are all policemen.
“I want us to say thank you to them all for the great sacrifice and risks they take to keep us safe.”
Candles were lit and a minute’s silence was observed for the innocent victims who died in the attack.
The injured included three police officers, 12 Britons, three French children, two Romanians, four South Koreans, two Greeks, and one each from Germany, Poland, Ireland, China, Italy and the United States.
Last night Londoners stood together to remember those who lost their lives and to send a clear message: Londoners will never be cowed by terrorism.
Posted by Mayor of London on Friday, 24 March 2017
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