Worry in UK as Israel-Gaza anxiety spreads

The Israel-Gaza war is reverberating around the world. In Manchester - a diverse city with large Jewish and Muslim populations - people are anxious about what it could mean for their communities.

On Wednesday, in the centre of Manchester, around 1,500 people packed into St Peter's Square for a vigil. Israel flags were waved throughout the crowd. Placards with pictures of the Israeli dead were held. Some people shed tears, but mainly there was a strong feeling of solidarity.

"We believe that every single Jew shares a bit of the same soul," says Eli Dresner, 25. "We're all family, we all come from the same place. Even if I don't know them, if I see another Jew, they are family."

As well as the profound sense of connection that comes with shared history and trauma, a relatively small global community of 16 million Jews means that many in the UK know people in Israel.

"I've got family in Israel who have all been called up to serve, and almost everyone here will know someone who is stuck," says Mr Dresner.

Scores of police officers were on duty at the vigil, and there were tangible concerns about a potential rise in hate crimes against Jews among those who attended.