A Jewish man was violently assaulted after leaving a synagogue in central Manchester, UK, and may have lost vision in his right eye as a result of the attack.
The victim said that he was looking at his phone when he was struck from behind, likely with a bottle. The force shattered his glasses and left his face covered in blood. “I thought I could have been blinded in my right eye,” he said.
According to the victim, the attacker shouted “murderer” and blamed him for the war in Gaza. Greater Manchester Police have launched an investigation, but no suspects have been arrested. The Campaign Against Antisemitism has offered a £5,000 ($6,300) reward for information leading to an arrest.
Witnesses said the suspect fled on a tram. The victim immediately reported the incident to the police. “My immediate reaction was to get away before being further attacked, and I ran across the road to a crowd of people shouting for help,” he recounted.
“A couple of bystanders pointed out who had just attacked me and where he was heading, whereupon I followed with one of the members of the public. The assailant then jumped onto a nearby tram. I had just called 999 and told them I had been attacked and was visibly Jewish, and that the suspect was on a specific tram that was going to head off shortly.”
A police patrol arrived within ten minutes, and a paramedic rinsed the man’s injured eye with saline.
“I didn’t get a clear view of the attacker given my glasses were smashed and I was in a daze and could not recall what he was shouting clearly,” he said. He was taken to the police station, where he gave a statement for several hours.
The victim suffered bruising around his eye, facial cuts and impaired vision. “I’m apprehensive walking around and now get nervous anyone could attack me at any time,” he added. “I remain very traumatized by what happened,” he said.
