PM condemns 'un-British' plans for protests on anniversary of Hamas terror attack

Sir Keir Starmer has condemned plans for pro-Palestine protests 2 years to the time since the October 7 attacks connected Israel, labelling them "un-British".

Writing successful The Times, the premier curate said demonstrations acceptable to instrumentality spot astatine respective universities contiguous showed a deficiency of respect for others, claiming erstwhile rallies had been utilized by immoderate arsenic a "despicable excuse to onslaught British Jews".

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In a connection marking the 2nd day of the Hamas attack, when 1,200 radical were killed and 251 others taken hostage, Sir Keir said the UK's Jewish communities had "endured rising antisemitism" since past - including past week's onslaught connected a synagogue successful Manchester, in which 2 worshippers were killed.

Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, died successful the attack astatine Heaton Park synagogue successful Crumpsall connected Thursday.

'A stain connected who we are'

Mr Daulby, a subordinate of the congregation, was changeable accidentally erstwhile constabulary fired connected attacker Jihad al Shamie.

The synagogue's rabbi told Sky News it happened arsenic Mr Daulby "was holding the doors to marque definite everyone wrong stayed safe".

The household of Mr Cravitz - a worshipper astatine the synagogue who constabulary primitively stated was a information defender - said helium would "do thing to assistance anyone".

Sir Keir described the onslaught arsenic "horrifying", adding: "This is simply a stain connected who we are, and this state volition ever basal gangly and agreed against those who privation harm and hatred upon Jewish communities."

Ministers had urged protesters to rethink attending a rally successful enactment of the banned radical Palestine Action implicit the weekend, fixed its proximity to the synagogue attack.

It went ahead, and nearly 500 radical were arrested.

Police person since been fixed caller powers to enforce conditions upon repetition protests.

'A surviving nightmare'

Of October 7, the premier curate said it was "the worst onslaught connected the Jewish radical since the Holocaust".

"The brutal, cold-blooded torture and execution of Jews successful their ain homes.

"And the taking of hostages, including British citizens, immoderate of whom stay successful Gaza today.

"Since that atrocious day, truthful galore person endured a surviving nightmare. When I spoke with immoderate of the families of the British hostages, I promised them successful idiosyncratic that we volition not cease successful our efforts to bring their loved ones home."

PM welcomes Trump's bid efforts

In his statement, Sir Keir besides spoke astir the government's priorities successful the Middle East, which helium said included releasing the hostages, getting much assistance into Gaza, and a ceasefire "that tin pb to a lasting and conscionable bid arsenic a measurement towards a two-state solution".

The authorities past period recognised Palestine arsenic a state to "revive the anticipation of peace".

Read more: What recognising Palestine really means

He said helium welcomed US efforts to mediate a woody betwixt Israel and Hamas. Officials from some sides wrapped up archetypal talks astatine an Egyptian edifice connected Monday, regarding the presumption projected by Donald Trump past week.

Mr Trump's 20-point bid program includes the disarmament of Hamas, which would person nary relation successful Gaza's aboriginal governance. The US president would pb an interim medication with the assistance of Sir Tony Blair, among others.

He has demanded Israel halt bombing Gaza, though airstrikes person continued.

Israel's warfare connected Hamas has present killed much than 67,000 radical successful Gaza, astir of them civilians, according to the Hamas-run wellness ministry, which does not differentiate betwixt civilians oregon combatants.

Antisemitism 'a unspeakable scourge'

Liberal Democrat person Sir Ed Davey besides spoke astir a "shocking emergence successful antisemitism" successful a connection marking 2 years since October 7.

Referencing the Manchester panic attack, helium described antisemitism arsenic a "terrible scourge" and said: "We basal successful solidarity with British Jews, the radical of Israel and Jewish communities astir the satellite against terrorism, and against antisemitism successful each its forms."

Sir Ed welcomed the latest bid talks aimed astatine ending the warfare successful Gaza, adding: "We desperately anticipation that they volition yet spot the hostages returned location to their families, a lasting bilateral ceasefire, Hamas retired of powerfulness successful Gaza for bully - and acceptable america connected the way to a two-state solution that offers some Israelis and Palestinians the bid and information they deserve."