Starmer urges Britons to leave Lebanon as he calls for immediate ceasefire
The Prime Minister addressed the UN Security Council with a plea for an end to the violence in both Lebanon and Gaza.
Sir Keir Starmer called on Israel and Hezbollah to agree an immediate ceasefire as he urged Britons to leave Lebanon immediately to escape the escalating violence.
The Prime Minister addressed the UN Security Council with a plea for an end to the violence in both Lebanon and Gaza.
In a blunt message to Israel he said Benjamin Netanyahu’s government needed to do more to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The UK has deployed 700 troops to Cyprus to prepare for a possible evacuation of thousands of Britons.
Sir Keir urged Britons to leave by the remaining commercial routes without relying on a possible evacuation.
Ahead of his appearance at the UN in New York, Sir Keir said: “In relation to Lebanon, I am very worried about the escalation.
“I’m calling for all parties to step back from the brink, to de-escalate. We need a ceasefire so this can be sorted out diplomatically.
“But I have a very important message for British nationals in Lebanon which is: the time to leave is now.
“The contingency plans are being ramped up but don’t wait for those, there are still commercial flights.
“It’s very important that they hear my message, which is to leave and to leave immediately.”
At the UN Security Council he called on all sides in the disputes in the Middle East to seek a diplomatic solution.
He said: “We must address the situation in Gaza. October 7 was the bloodiest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust.
“I utterly condemn the terrorist actions of Hamas. The ordeal of the hostages and their loved ones continues almost a year later.
“Six of them were killed in cold blood just a few weeks ago. So, I say again: let the hostages go.
“And we must face up to the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza that continues to deepen by the day.
“Israel must grant humanitarian access to civilians in line with its obligations under international humanitarian law. There can be no more excuses.”
He added: “I call on the Security Council to seek political solutions that can break repeating cycles of violence like that in the Middle East. The region is at the brink.
“We need an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah and the implementation of a political plan which allows Israeli and Lebanese civilians to return to their homes to live in peace and security.
“That security will come through diplomacy – not escalation. There is no military solution here. Nor is there a military-only solution to the conflict in Gaza.
“This council must demand – again – an immediate, full and complete ceasefire in Gaza with the release of all the hostages.
“We need a political route to that agreement which provides a bridge to a better future. A credible and irreversible path towards a viable Palestinian state alongside a safe and secure State of Israel.
“This is the only way to provide security and justice for both Israelis and Palestinians.”
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.
