Jewish groups miss out on attack recovery funding

A £600,000 fund set up after the deadly attack on Heaton Park Synagogue has sparked criticism after none of the money was given directly to Jewish organisations.

The funding was awarded to Salford City Council as part of a government recovery programme following the attack during Yom Kippur last year, in which Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby were killed.

Council leaders said the money would support projects tackling antisemitism, racism and division, but local community leaders have questioned how it has been distributed.

A council spokesperson said the authority stood "in solidarity" with the Jewish community and had provided support to Jewish organisations and communities.

The funding forms part of a £2m package from the Home Office intended to support long-term recovery following the October attack.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a council report approved on 22 September said the money would be used for projects that "challenge direct and indirect antisemitic and racist rhetoric" and improve community cohesion.

However, the decision has drawn criticism from Councillor Andrew Walters, who represents Kersal & Broughton Park, home to a large Orthodox Jewish community.

He said: "It is reasonable to expect that at least some of it should directly support the Jewish community that was targeted."

He said he was disappointed that "not a single penny" had been directed to Shomrim or any other Jewish community organisation, although he stressed there were "undoubtedly worthwhile projects" within the programme and that the issue should not be about "setting communities against each other".

Meir Facto, executive director of Shomrim, also expressed disappointment that the organisation had not been consulted during the process.

He said the voluntary safety patrol, which works with Greater Manchester Police, had a longstanding role in community cohesion efforts.

"Building trust, strengthening relationships between communities and creating safe environments where people feel connected and supported are all essential elements of preventing division and promoting community resilience," he said.

Responding to the criticism, a spokesperson for Salford City Council said it recognised the "profound impact" of the attack on Jewish communities.

The spokesperson said the authority stood "in solidarity" with the Jewish community and that the funding would be used to tackle antisemitism and promote understanding between different communities.

"We understand the concerns that have been raised and will continue to engage to ensure the experiences and priorities of our Jewish communities are reflected in the wider community projects we undertake," they added.

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