Dim Amor

Knesset Member Merav Michaeli published sharp accusations today, Tuesday, October 3, 2025, against members of the Israeli coalition following the deadly terror attack that took place yesterday in Manchester, United Kingdom. In a post on the social media platform X, Michaeli directly accused coalition politicians of being connected to the attack, referring to them as “corrupt politicians” and charging that they endanger Jews in Israel and worldwide.

In her controversial post, Michaeli wrote:
“The corrupt politicians in the coalition who exploit the despicable Manchester attack to lash out at the British government are the same corrupt politicians under whose watch Jews around the world are afraid to pray in synagogue on the holiest day of the year, while antisemitism keeps rising. This government is dangerous to Jews in Israel and around the world. The political war in Gaza must end”.

These accusations were made without any concrete evidence and no facts were presented to support Michaeli’s grave claims. While she pointed an accusing finger at the Israeli coalition, she completely refrained from criticizing the British government itself, despite its alleged antisemitic policies and the historic fact that Britain ruled over the Land of Israel until 1947 and still seeks to influence Israel.

The pressing question is whether Michaeli is blind to reality or deliberately inciting. Her allegations against the coalition raise serious concerns about her motives and about the responsibility of Knesset members who use parliamentary immunity as a shield for baseless accusations.

In contrast to Michaeli’s groundless claims, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich took a very different tone in his response to the attack. Smotrich wrote on X:
“A very severe attack in Manchester. The pain of the Jewish community at this hour is the pain of the entire Jewish people. Britain, like other European countries, has shown weakness and moral collapse by standing against Israel’s right to self-defense and siding with its antisemitic enemies. This weakness encourages terror and allows it to raise its head. The responsibility lies with the British government, and we expect it to take serious measures to combat antisemitism, incitement, and violence against Jews”.

Smotrich’s words reflect a more balanced and reasoned voice, directing thoughtful criticism toward the British government in light of its policies toward Israel and pointing to the link between moral weakness and the encouragement of terrorism. While Smotrich addressed the attack with responsibility and an understanding of the broader context, Michaeli chose to use the tragedy for internal political accusations.

The attack itself occurred yesterday morning, when a car drove at high speed toward people gathered outside the Heaton Park Synagogue on Middleton Road in Manchester around 9:30 a.m. The suspect then began stabbing those present and attempted to enter the building, but failed. Police officers who arrived at the scene shot and killed the attacker.

According to Manchester police, two people were murdered in the attack. This morning, their names were released: 66-year-old Adrian D’Albi and 53-year-old Melvin Kravitz. Five others were injured, including a security guard, three of them in serious condition. Footage from the scene showed the terrorist wearing a protective vest and what appeared to be an explosive belt. It is unclear whether the device was live, but a bomb disposal unit was deployed.

Social media videos show two special forces officers surrounding the terrorist on the ground and shouting, “Back off, he has a bomb”. Moments later, the attacker tried to get back on his feet before police shot and killed him.

Yet while the Jewish world mourns the dead and reels from the attack, MK Michaeli chose to use this tragedy to launch a domestic political offensive. Instead of joining voices demanding that the British government take stronger action against antisemitism and terror, she directed her accusations toward Israeli politicians under the shield of parliamentary immunity.

The phenomenon of lawmakers abusing parliamentary immunity to defame and accuse without basis raises profound questions about the limits of free speech and the responsibility of elected officials. When a Knesset member publishes such serious allegations without a shred of evidence, directly linking Israeli politicians to a deadly terror attack abroad, the question arises whether this constitutes legitimate expression or dangerous incitement.

Police may now be required to examine whether Michaeli’s accusations amount to a criminal offense such as defamation or incitement. While MKs do enjoy immunity, it is not absolute and does not grant them carte blanche to slander without legal limits.

In an era when words published by public officials on social media can reach millions within seconds, the responsibility of lawmakers is magnified. When an MK chooses to make such weighty accusations without any factual support, it sets a dangerous precedent that could enable others to follow suit, hiding behind immunity.

The Manchester attack was a horrific tragedy that struck at the heart of the Jewish community. Two innocent people were murdered simply for being Jewish. Instead of uniting against the common enemy and urging European governments to act decisively against antisemitism and terror, Michaeli chose to exploit the tragedy for domestic political purposes.

This is a new era of political defamation, where Knesset members feel free to accuse without restraint, use parliamentary immunity as a shield, and shirk any accountability for their words. The question remains: is Israeli society prepared to accept a reality in which elected officials can link others to terror attacks with no evidence, no investigation, and purely for political gain?

Photos of Members of Knesset from the Knesset website — used under Section 27A of the Copyright Law.