Monday 13 Av – Three Jews Injured in Shocking Salford BB Gun Attack

A devastating fire tore through the complex surrounding the resting place of the Baal HaTanya, Rav Shneur Zalman of Liadi, in Hadiach, Ukraine, overnight on Friday, causing extensive damage to the main synagogue and the guest accommodation operated by Chabad emissary Rav Shneur Deitsch.

Firefighters spent several hours battling the intense blaze before finally bringing it under control, preventing the flames from spreading further across the historic site. Thankfully, no one was injured.

Ukrainian police have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire. Officials are examining whether it was triggered by an electrical fault or whether it could be connected to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and the region’s fragile security situation.

The site is one of the most significant centres of chassidus, welcoming thousands of worshippers and visitors throughout the year. Community leaders are now assessing the destruction and have already begun planning the rebuilding effort, hoping to restore the synagogue and guest facilities as quickly as possible.

Toronto police are investigating two overnight attacks on branches of Kiva’s, a well-known Jewish-owned bakery chain, after gunfire struck one location and a window was smashed at another early Sunday. No injuries were reported.

Officers found evidence that shots had been fired into a window at the bakery near Yonge Street and St. Clair Avenue West. Shortly afterwards, police were called to another branch near Bathurst Street and Steeles Avenue West, where a damaged window was discovered, although no evidence of gunfire was found.

Investigators are examining whether the incidents are connected. The Hate Crime Unit and the Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force are both involved, but police have not yet confirmed an antisemitic motive.

Jewish community leaders said the attacks had deeply shaken local residents. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow condemned the incidents as targeted, vile and unacceptable, promising to stand firmly with the city’s Jewish community against antisemitism.

Two people have been arrested after three Jewish adults were injured when a BB gun was fired from a passing vehicle in Salford.

The attack happened at around 10pm on Monday on Leicester Road. Police said the victims suffered minor injuries after being struck by pellets fired from the moving car.

Greater Manchester Police later arrested two suspects on suspicion of religiously aggravated common assault. Officers believe the victims may have been deliberately targeted because they were Jewish, and the incident is being treated as a suspected antisemitic attack.

A BB gun uses compressed air or a spring mechanism to fire small round projectiles, which can still cause painful injuries.

The incident has caused fresh concern within the local Jewish community, with leaders warning that antisemitic abuse and violence appear to be escalating. Police said the investigation remains ongoing and urged anyone with information or relevant footage from the area to come forward.

Relatives of September 11 victims are campaigning to prevent New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani from attending the 25th anniversary commemoration at Ground Zero.

A petition signed by thousands of people, including hundreds of victims’ relatives, argues that Mamdani’s past statements, political endorsements and associations make his presence inappropriate at the solemn ceremony. Organisers said the anniversary must remain focused on remembrance, unity and the rejection of terrorism.

Giovanni Galante, whose wife Grace was killed in the attacks, said Mamdani’s attendance would be deeply hurtful and compared it to an unwelcome guest attending a personal memorial.

The 9/11 Memorial & Museum said it has always sought to keep the ceremony free from politics. Sitting presidents, governors and mayors traditionally attend without making speeches.

A spokesman for Mamdani confirmed that the mayor still intends to attend and honour the victims, survivors and first responders affected by the attacks.

French President Emmanuel Macron has called an emergency cabinet meeting as fast-moving wildfires advance towards Bordeaux, while another severe heatwave threatens to worsen the crisis.

The main blaze is around 15 kilometres from the south-western city, although officials said there were currently no plans to evacuate Bordeaux’s population of approximately 850,000. Tens of thousands of residents in surrounding areas have already been moved to safety.

Firefighters said the flames were spreading unpredictably and had created a rare fire-generated thunderstorm, producing powerful winds and lightning. Officials described the battle as a “David-versus-Goliath” struggle, warning that heavy rain or a natural barrier may be needed to stop the fire.

Around 42,000 hectares have burned in south-western France, while more than 220,000 people have been evacuated from the region. Temperatures could reach 40C from Tuesday, placing further pressure on exhausted emergency crews.

US President Donald Trump continued issuing stark warnings to Iran on Sunday, posting a series of AI-generated images showing American forces attacking the country’s oil infrastructure and seizing Iranian vessels.

One image depicted US fighter jets bombing Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil-export hub, while another appeared to show Trump standing aboard a captured Iranian tanker beneath an American flag. The posts came during a two-day pause in fighting after 13 consecutive days of escalating American airstrikes.

The Pentagon halted its bombing campaign late on Friday, and Iran has also held its fire, saying it will refrain from further attacks while the United States does the same.

Reports suggested that American military officials were concerned about depleted target lists and pressure on weapons stockpiles. Trump strongly rejected those claims, insisting that the United States possesses far more ammunition than it requires.

Oil prices eased slightly as markets reacted to hopes that the temporary calm could develop into a broader truce.

Two mosques, a home and several vehicles were set alight during overnight attacks across Palestinian towns and villages in the West Bank, according to the Israeli military and Palestinian reports.

The violence followed a deadly confrontation on Friday in which two Israelis, including an IDF officer, and four Palestinians were killed. Graffiti calling for revenge was sprayed at several locations.

In the village of Qusra, south of Nablus, attackers reportedly set fire to a mosque that was still under construction. Footage showed flames inside the building and Hebrew-language revenge messages painted nearby. Wooden materials and construction equipment were damaged, but no injuries were reported.

The IDF strongly condemned the attacks and said troops arrived after the suspects had already fled, preventing any immediate arrests. Israeli security forces are investigating the incidents amid concern that retaliatory violence could further inflame tensions and lead to additional clashes across the region.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu departed for Washington on Monday for urgent talks with President Donald Trump, amid growing differences over Israel’s military presence across the region.

The brief visit will focus heavily on Iran and Israel’s continuing operations in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria. Netanyahu is also expected to attend the memorial service for Senator Lindsey Graham, whom he described as one of Israel’s greatest friends since the country’s establishment.

Before leaving, Netanyahu reportedly told Security Cabinet ministers that Washington may press Israel to withdraw its forces from strategic positions in all three territories. He made clear that he intends to reject any demands he believes could endanger Israel’s security.

The visit follows reports that Trump recently urged Israel to begin withdrawing troops from Syria and proceed with redeployments in Lebanon. Netanyahu also held preparatory talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is viewed in Jerusalem as strongly supportive of Israel’s security concerns.

For the UK Jewish Orthodox Community
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Erev Shabbos    

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