7 October praised as ‘just so beautiful’ at ‘family event’ at London ExCel Centre
Speakers openly praised Hamas atrocities at the Islamic Global Peace and Unity Festival
The 7 October Hamas attack was praised as “just so beautiful” at a “peace and unity” festival at one of the UK’s top exhibition centres.
Iranian Press TV presenter Latifa Abouchakra also described the atrocities in which Hamas terrorists killed 1,200 people and took 250 hostages as “a biblical battle between good and evil” at the Islamic Global Peace and Unity event at the London ExCel Centre, organised by the Islam Channel.
Abouchakra, who posted a video of herself on 7 October praising Hamas and calling Israeli hostages “prisoners of war” and “members of the occupation forces”, was one of several guest speakers openly condoning Hamas at the “family event”, which was exposed by investigative reporter David Collier.
She added: “Until 7 October, citizens of the world had lost hope in their individual power. Until you look at Palestine… and you want to cry… it’s just so beautiful. You see a largely refugee population – who have been under occupation – sieged by land, air and sea for over 16 years – and they could strike at the heart of the most advanced army in the world, with homemade machines, no less.”
Ben Jamal, head of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, also among the speakers, told the audience: “Israel has no right to defend itself… it is the Palestinian people that have a right to resist – including, as enshrined within international law, through armed resistance.“
Also present was British “scholar” Fatima Barkatulla, who on 8 October 2023, said: “This Palestinian uprising is 100% legitimate.”
Proudly antisemitic former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mahathir Mohamad, who has described Jews as “hook-nosed” and claims the Holocaust is exaggerated and Israeli academic Ilan Pappe, who said 7 October is being used by Israel as a pretext to pursue genocide, also took part.
On its website, the Islamic Global Peace and Unity festival describes itself as “a beacon, illuminating the richness of Muslim lifestyle, culture and business on a global scale”.
The event took place between 19 and 20 October at London Excel in Newham. The site was acquired by Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company in 2008.
A spokesperson for CST said: “Given the horrendous increase in anti-Jewish hatred and extremism over the past year and the damage that has been caused to community relations, it is essential that the organisers of conferences such as this ensure that they do not provide a platform to anybody who has expressed antisemitic views or support for terrorism and violence in the past, or who is likely to do so at their event.”
It added that it would be “irresponsible and reckless for any mainstream speakers, organisations or venues to be involved in an event where any such person may be speaking. CST urges all respectable, mainstream organisations connected to this event, including the venue itself, to review their procedures to ensure that any such mistakes cannot be made in future.”
A Met Police spokesperson told Jewish News: “We’ve made officers aware of content shared online following this event so they can assess what further action may be required.”
Jewish News has contacted London Excel, the Mayor of London’s office and the Home Office for comment.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
