(Jewish News) An alleged Islamic State supporter told an undercover operative his “primary target” was a pro-Israel march in Manchester, saying they would need “cluster bombs” to attack a crowd “full of Jews,” a jury has heard.
Walid Saadaoui, a Tunisia-born former restaurateur, is accused of planning a summer 2024 mass-casualty assault on the march before turning weapons on Jewish neighbourhoods in Prestwich, Cheetham Hill and Higher Broughton.
Manchester Crown Court was told Saadaoui took an undercover officer — known as “Farouk” — on a reconnaissance tour on 17 March 2024, walking past Jewish schools, synagogues and children playing outside. Jurors heard he referred to local Jews as merely “appetisers” ahead of attacking a march he said he wanted to broadcast live with a GoPro.
