Cameron recalls meeting Nathanel Young at Downing Street Chanukah reception

David Cameron recalled meeting former JFS student Nathanel Young at a Chanukah celebration in Downing Street when he was prime minister, as he stepped in for Rishi Sunak to host this year’s event.

Cameron was joined by Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and around 200 members of the Jewish community for a candle-lighting ceremony to mark the sixth day of the festival.

In an emotional speech, in which he reflected on his recent visit to Israel to witness the devastation of 7 October, Cameron reflected on how Nathanel, who was killed during the raid by Hamas, was among students from Beit Shvidler school in Edgware who attended the event during his premiership.

He said: “Here was a proud soldier, a proud musician, and a proud Jew, who went home to serve his country, only to be murdered by a brutal bunch of terrorists.

“We have seen appalling outbreaks of antisemitism since October 7. It drives me as mad as I’m sure it does you to see people carrying banners and chanting ‘from the river to the sea’, because that implies genocide. We want Jewish people in our country to feel loved, to feel welcome, and we value the Jewish community, the contribution you make, and we want to drive out antisemitism.”

Speaking to a packed room, the foreign secretary also said he wanted his words to stand as “a memorial to those killed by Hamas, and a vigil for those held hostage and defiance against the rise of antisemitism in Britain”.

Among those also attending Tuesday’s event were Board of Deputies president Marie van der Zyl and JLC chairman Keith Black and children from Hasmonean Primary School, who performed Chanukah songs.