'I am not safe, I stand here in a bulletproof vest'

GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL REVEALS SECURITY MEASURES AS HUNDREDS GATHER AT RALLY

- By RAMAZANI MWAMBA

A GOVERNMENT official told a crowd of hundreds in Manchester that she no longer feels safe in the UK following Thursday's synagogue attack.

During a speech at the Manchester Stands with Israel rally, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Israel, Sharron Haskel, demonstrated to the crowd the bulletproof vest she was wearing as she addressed them.

“Here as a Jew I am not safe in your streets,’ she said. “I’m threatened with death, for nothing more than my very existence.

“I stand before you in a bulletproof vest, a kevlar vest, here on this stage. I am not allowed to be here without it.”

Hundreds of people turned out to the rally to commemorate the victims of October 7 and Manchester's synagogue attack.

Hordes of Israel flags and Union Jacks were hoisted in the air as participants from the Manchester Jewish community and beyond gathered together for the event at Manchester Cathedral yesterday.

Organised by the North West Friends of Israel, the rally was heavily protected by the Greater Manchester Police and Community Security Trust.