The Jewish Consultant Council of Higher Manchester and Area (JRC), the official umbrella and consultant physique for the Jewish neighborhood throughout Higher Manchester and surrounding areas, issued a press release at present, October 13.
It stated it had raised “profound issues” with Manchester Council concerning the band’s two scheduled performances at Heaton Park in July 2027.
Fontaines D.C., supported by Little Simz and Viagra Boys, will headline two main live shows at Heaton Park on July 3 and July 4 after a second date was added on account of excessive demand.
In its assertion, the JRC stated: “The JRC has registered our profound issues with Manchester Council relating to Fontaines D.C.’s forthcoming live performance at Heaton Park and has referred to as for it to be cancelled.
“Regardless of our representations, it seems the live performance might be going forward.
“We anticipate and might be working with the council to make sure strong and ample safeguards are in place to guard the Jewish neighborhood.
“We’ve got no objection to Heaton Park internet hosting live shows.
“Our issues will not be about authentic political expression however the potential penalties of inflammatory rhetoric from the band.
“At a time of heightened antisemitism, the feedback and chants related to the band dangers importing tensions from the Center East into the UK, with Jewish folks right here turning into the targets.
“The security of our neighborhood have to be paramount.”
Final July, Fontaines D.C. displayed messages throughout a sold-out live performance in London which learn “Free Palestine” and “Israel is committing genocide, use your voice”.
The messages have been proven on massive screens on each side of the stage, whereas a picture of the Palestinian flag was projected in the course of the band’s stage.
In interviews, the band has additionally spoken overtly about its views.
Members have backed campaigns supporting “Free Palestine”, and the group cancelled a gig in Istanbul in solidarity with Palestine.
The issues come in opposition to a backdrop of heightened tensions and safety issues inside Higher Manchester’s Jewish neighborhood, the second-largest Jewish inhabitants within the UK after London.
One 12 months in the past, a terror assault at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue left two folks lifeless and three others critically injured.
On October 2, 2025, worshippers gathering for Yom Kippur providers in Crumpsall have been focused by Jihad Al-Shamie, who drove into the gates of Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue earlier than finishing up a knife assault and making an attempt to drive his approach inside.
Twelve months on, the influence of the assault continues to be felt throughout Bury and north Manchester.
A person related to the attacker has been jailed for getting ready acts of terrorism, safety round Jewish websites has remained heightened and households have labored to honour the victims’ recollections.
Because the anniversary approached, counter-terrorism police introduced they believed they’d disrupted one other suspected plot concentrating on the Jewish neighborhood within the Manchester space.
Figures revealed by the Group Safety Belief (CST) present there have been 49 antisemitic incidents in Bury within the first half of 2026.
Throughout Higher Manchester, 222 incidents have been recorded throughout the identical interval, a 14 per cent enhance from 194 within the first half of 2025.
Final week, Bury Instances reporter James Chittick spoke to Higher Manchester mayor Bev Craig, who vowed she would do “all the things” attainable to guard Jewish communities and sort out antisemitism.
Nonetheless, she declined to touch upon whether or not a senior Bury Labour councillor ought to resign over allegations that she did not report issues about her son’s extremist views after he was convicted of terror offences.
Talking to the Bury Instances, Ms Craig stated she was centered on preserving residents secure and supporting Jewish communities following a turbulent 12 months.
The Bury Instances has contacted Manchester Metropolis Council for remark.