House of Commons debate to mark anniversary of 7 October Hamas massacre
Jon Pearce, new parliamentary chair of Labour Friends of Israel, secures Westminster debate on Monday
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
A House of Commons debate to mark the first anniversary of the 7 October Hamas attacks is to take place on Monday.
In a significant addition to parliamentary business, the adjournment debate – which takes place on the first anniversary of the massacre – will be remembered by Jewish communities in the UK and across the globe – was secured by the Labour MP Jon Pearce.
Pearce was recently confirmed as the new parliamentary chair of Labour Friends of Israel after Steve McCabe stepped down as an MP ahead of the general election.
with UJS president Sami Berkoff
Jewish News understands that MPs from across all parties are expected to speak on the devastating impact of the 7 October atrocity in a debate now confirmed in next week’s Westminster Order Paper, with a government minister also responding.
The anniversary of the 7 October attacks is also likely to be mentioned by ministers speaking from the dispatch box earlier on Monday afternoon in both the Commons and the Lords.
Monday evening’s debate takes place one day after a memorial event organised by the Board of Deputies, the Jewish Leadership Council and other communal groups including the Hostages and Missing Families Forum UK, the 7/10 Human Chain Project and the Jewish Agency for Israel. takes place in Hyde Park.
While politicians have not been invited to officially speak at the event, they have been told they are welcome to attend in a personal capacity.
Other communities in the UK, including in Manchester, Leeds and Brighton, are expected to hold similar events, some on the anniversary of the atrocity on Monday.
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.
