Sir Keir Starmer has condemned plans for pro-Palestine protests two years to the day because the October 7 assaults on Israel, labelling them “un-British”.
Writing in The Occasions, the prime minister mentioned demonstrations set to happen at a number of universities at the moment confirmed an absence of respect for others, claiming earlier rallies had been utilized by some as a “despicable excuse to attack British Jews”.
In an announcement marking the second anniversary of the Hamas assault, when 1,200 individuals had been killed and 251 others taken hostage, Sir Keir mentioned the UK’s Jewish communities had “endured rising antisemitism” since then – together with final week’s assault on a synagogue in Manchester, during which two worshippers had been killed.
Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, died within the assault at Heaton Park synagogue in Crumpsall on Thursday.
Picture:Adrian Daulby (left) and Melvin Cravitz. Pics: Household handout/Fb
‘A stain on who we are’
Mr Daulby, a member of the congregation, was shot by accident when police fired on attacker Jihad al Shamie.
The household of Mr Cravitz – a worshipper on the synagogue who police initially said was a safety guard – mentioned he would “do anything to help anyone”.
Sir Keir described the assault as “horrifying”, including: “This is a stain on who we are, and this country will always stand tall and united against those who wish harm and hatred upon Jewish communities.”
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
4:10
4:10Synagogue safety guard describes second assault unfolded
Ministers had urged protesters to rethink attending a rally in help of the banned group Palestine Motion over the weekend, given its proximity to the synagogue assault.
It went forward, and almost 500 individuals had been arrested.
Police have since been given new powers to impose situations upon repeat protests.
Picture:Professional-Palestine demonstrations in central London have attracted 1000’s of individuals. Pic: PA
‘A living nightmare’
Of October 7, the prime minister mentioned it was “the worst attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust”.
“The brutal, cold-blooded torture and homicide of Jews in their very own properties.
“And the taking of hostages, together with British residents, a few of whom stay in Gaza at the moment.
“Since that awful day, so many have endured a living nightmare. When I spoke with some of the families of the British hostages, I promised them in person that we will not cease in our efforts to bring their loved ones home.”
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
1:27
1:27PM: ‘We must defeat antisemitism’
PM welcomes Trump’s peace efforts
In his assertion, Sir Keir additionally spoke in regards to the authorities’s priorities within the Center East, which he mentioned included releasing the hostages, getting extra help into Gaza, and a ceasefire “that can lead to a lasting and just peace as a step towards a two-state solution”.
The federal government final month recognised Palestine as a state to “revive the hope of peace”.
He mentioned he welcomed US efforts to mediate a deal between Israel and Hamas. Officers from either side wrapped up preliminary talks at an Egyptian resort on Monday, relating to the phrases proposed by Donald Trump final week.
Mr Trump’s 20-point peace plan consists of the disarmament of Hamas, which might haven’t any function in Gaza’s future governance. The US president would lead an interim administration with the assistance of Sir Tony Blair, amongst others.
He has demanded Israel cease bombing Gaza, although airstrikes have continued.
Israel’s warfare on Hamas has now killed greater than 67,000 individuals in Gaza, most of them civilians, in response to the Hamas-run well being ministry, which doesn’t differentiate between civilians or combatants.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
0:32
0:32‘We’re going to have a Gaza deal’
Antisemitism ‘a terrible scourge’
Conservative chief Kemi Badenoch additionally criticised pro-Palestine protests in an announcement marking the October 7 anniversary, claiming some “turn into hate marches on our streets”.
She mentioned the federal government’s resolution to recognise a Palestinian state “has rewarded the terrorists that perpetrated the October 7 atrocities”.
“Appeasement does not work,” she mentioned, including: “There are still 48 hostages held captive in Gaza. They must come home now.”
Liberal Democrat chief Sir Ed Davey described antisemitism as a “terrible scourge” and mentioned: “We stand in solidarity with British Jews, the people of Israel and Jewish communities around the world against terrorism, and against antisemitism in all its forms.”
Of the peace talks, he added: “We desperately hope that they will finally see the hostages returned home to their families, a lasting bilateral ceasefire, Hamas out of power in Gaza for good – and set us on the path to a two-state solution that offers both Israelis and Palestinians the peace and security they deserve.”
