‘Who’s going to protect us?’: Ex-wife of man injured in Manchester synagogue attack says he no longer wants to live in UK
The man injured by a police bullet in the Manchester synagogue attack feels so unsafe he no longer wants to live in this country, his ex-wife has told Sky News.
Along with their children, Naomi Finlay has been visiting Yoni Finlay in hospital since the attack last week.
She said he was “shocked” to hear about the level of antisemitism she and their children had been facing before the synagogue was targeted.
“When I went to see him in the hospital, I spoke to him about some of the antisemitism we’d faced personally,” Mrs Finlay said.
“Some of the things I hadn’t discussed with him before, and he didn’t know. And he was really, really upset for me and the children that this is what we’ve been through.
“He expressed that he definitely does not feel safe in this country – and he’s questioning his future here.”
Yoni Finlay is still in hospital after being injured by police gunfire during the attack
Ms Finlay told Sky News that she and her children have faced threats and abuse, some reported to the police.
“We’ve been shouted at, the kids have been shouted at,” she said.
“My son, his biggest fear is being recognised as Jewish. The second he leaves the synagogue, the kippah comes off his head.
“On October the 7th, two years ago, someone tried to knock my brother over while he was walking back from the synagogue.”
Naomi Finlay says her family have been on ‘constant alert’
‘It’s something you’ve been waiting for’
Ms Finlay added that although the attack on the Heaton Park synagogue was a shock, as her family had been living on “constant alert”, it did not come as a surprise.
“The second I heard something, I knew absolutely – I knew what it was,” she added. “There’s no doubt in your mind. Because it’s something, yes, you’ve been waiting for – but anticipating with dread.”
It took hours before Ms Finlay was able to find out from a family member who was also at the synagogue that Yoni had been injured but was still alive.
“We live close to the synagogue – we saw and heard everything,” she said. “The beginning of the day – where we are just on the streets asking anyone, ‘Have you seen him? Have you seen him?’ – that was definitely the hardest part.
“It was so difficult for the kids, because that’s their dad.”
Read more about the synagogue attack:
Friends of attacker reveal how he became radicalised
Man who helped barricade says attacker was ‘monster’
Shapps: My father-in-law was at synagogue attack
Yoni was among those barricading the doors to stop the attacker, Jihad al Shamie, from getting inside the synagogue.
Al Shamie was shot and killed by police, but one of their bullets came through the synagogue door – striking Yoni and killing Adrian Daulby, one of the two men who lost their lives.
Yoni was in surgery for seven hours on the day of the attack. Ms Finlay added he “remembers everything”, including the moment the bullet struck.
Although she said he is still in a lot of pain, he is now stable and recovering.
“The kids have been taking him some treats,” she said, “saving him half of their chocolate bars and taking them into him.
“Things from school, letters from friends they’ve been taking in to show him. They are just really wanting him back.”
‘Who’s going to protect us?’
Two years to the day since the 7 October terror attack in Israel, Ms Finlay finds it “really hurtful” that pro-Palestine marches are taking place across the country, less than a week on from the attack in which Yoni was injured.
“It was just that little bit further away – and now it’s not further away,” she said. “Even today there’s protests going on – on one of the saddest days for Jewish people worldwide.
“I feel like we can’t even get a break on that one day to actually grieve and process our feelings.”
Although she said the police have been “amazing” since the attack, she worries about what will happen to her and her family when the attention dies down.
“We worry that in a few weeks, when all this simmers down, are we still going to feel reassured? Are we still going to be protected?
“You know, who’s going to look after our kids when they’re in school? Who’s going to look after us when we go pray in the synagogue? Who’s going to protect us?”
Police have announced a £20,000 reward in the hunt for the killers of a man in north London in March.
Mahad Abdi Mohamed, 27, died after being shot in the head in Waverley Road, Tottenham at 8.45pm on 20 March, the Metropolitan Police said.
The Met, which announced the reward from the independent charity Crimestoppers, said officers believed the shooting was a case of mistaken identity.
Police now want to speak to two people in connection with the incident.
DCI Rebecca Woodsford, who is leading the investigation, said: “There is someone out there who knows what happened that night, and we are urging those individuals to find it in their heart to come forward. It could be exactly what we need to locate those responsible.”
Images of the two people police would like to speak to. Pics: Metropolitan Police
A targeted attack
Police believe the suspects, who got out of a stolen Mitsubishi Outlander, which was later recovered burned out, were taking part in a targeted attack.
On the night of the murder, Mahad had spent the early evening with his friend at their home.
They were breaking their fast outside when the Mitsubishi Outlander approached and the suspects opened fire, striking Mahad and his friend multiple times.
Mahad’s 26-year-old friend received treatment for a gunshot wound to his leg.
The force suspects another stolen vehicle, a blue Jaguar, was used to transport the suspects to and from the Mitsubishi.
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The stolen cars from the night. Pics: Metropolitan Police
Police arrested four adult men in March and April on suspicion of murder, who were subsequently bailed.
The investigation so far has led officers to believe whoever killed Mahad set out to hurt someone else in a pre-planned, targeted attack.
Appealing to the public for information, Mahad’s youngest sister said: “To stay silent is to be complicit. To stay silent is to let a grieving mother suffer in confusion. To stay silent is to let a little boy grow up not knowing what happened to his father.”
Pic: Metropolitan Police
The reward, which is offered for information that leads to the identification, arrest and prosecution of those responsible, is available for three months and is due to expire on 20 March 2026.
Ferry passengers getting home for Christmas from Dover face delays of up to one hour after French border controls were hit by IT issues.
The border began experiencing technology issues before peak traffic arrival on Saturday morning.
Port of Dover Travel said in a post on X, at 9.21am, that there were still ongoing issues which were resulting in delays. It later confirmed delays were still ongoing at 12.02pm.
The organisation, which has not since issued an update, also urged passengers not to arrive more than two hours before their ferry leaves.
The Port of Dover estimates nearly 30,000 cars will board for outward journeys during the festive period, with traffic peaking between 6am and 1pm from Friday to Sunday.
It is forecast to be the busiest Christmas period on record for Dover crossings. Pic: Getty
It is also forecast to be the busiest year on record for the Christmas getaway in the UK.
P&O Ferries, which operates some of the ships from the port, said there are large queues on the approach roads and in the buffer area.
But once through passengers will face a smooth journey with no check-in delays, it added.
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The Port of Dover added in the post: “We also ask that all port-bound traffic remain on the main roads to the port, the A20 and A2, and keep the local roads clear for the community.
“If customers do miss their scheduled sailing due to the wait times, their ferry operator will place them on the next available crossing.”
Simon Jones, an AA expert patrol, said: “It’s beginning to look a lot like traffic. Our advice is simple: plan ahead, check your route and allow extra time. Patience will be your best present this year.”
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