Father of Manchester synagogue attacker praised Oct 7 massacre and Hamas on social media, but says 'shocked' by son's action

The father of Syrian-born British citizen Jihad al-Shamie, who carried out the Manchester City synagogue attack on Yom Kippur, posted to social media praising Hamas and Iran for attacks against Israel. 

While the attacker’s father, Dr. Faraj al-Shami, released a statement last week condemning the attack, his social media history shows support for the Oct. 7 terror attack on Israel, when he called the Hamas terrorists “God’s men on earth.” 

“Men like these prove that they are men of God on earth and regardless of who leads them, they are the real compass of men who are confident of their victory,” Dr. al-Shamie wrote.

Three days after the Oct. 7 attack, the elder al-Shamie wrote on Facebook, “Where is this so-called resistance with the Haifa rockets?” in a post questioning why Hezbollah had not joined Hamas. “May God’s curse be upon the hypocrites, the traitors pledged to a disgusting and filthy sectarian agenda – the moment of truth is inevitably coming.” 

Dr. al-Shamie released a statement in English on Friday condemning the attack on the Manchester synagogue. 

“The news from Manchester regarding the terrorist attack targeting a Jewish synagogue has been a profound shock to us,” the statement read. “The Al-Shamie family in the UK and abroad strongly condemns this heinous act, which targeted peaceful, innocent civilians.” 

“We fully distance ourselves from this attack and express our deep shock and sorrow over what has happened,” the statement continued, “May God have mercy on the innocent victims, and we pray for the swift recovery of the injured.” 

However, several Facebook users were quick to notice the discrepancy between al-Shamie’s post in English and his previous history of anti-Israel posts. 

During the 12-day Israel-Iran war, Dr. al-Shamie praised the missile attacks against Israel, writing, “We are waiting for more.” 

However, despite supporting the Hamas attacks, Dr. al-Shamie also posted a comment calling for the release of the elderly and child hostages. 

“What you [Hamas] have done so far is a miracle by all standards,” al-Shamie wrote. “Do not harm them in a moment of anger. They have no place in war.” 

However, he continued, writing, “May God grant you victory, support you, and guide you to the right path in a battle that history will record as the beginning of the liberation of Al-Aqsa, God willing.” 

Faraj al-Shamie also wrote posts praising the new Syrian regime of Ahmed al-Sharaa, and condemning the actions of former dictator Bashar al-Assad.