Sunak: ‘It sickens me to think UK Jews are looking over their shoulder’
Responding to the King's Speech, the PM referenced rising antisemitism at protests in the UK, while Keir Starmer noted it was one month 'since the senseless murder of Jews by the terrorists of Hamas'
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Rishi Sunak has said it “sickens me to think that British Jews are looking over their shoulder in this country” as he addressed MPs in the Commons after the Kings Speech.
The prime minister also said the government would “not stand for the hatred and antisemitism we have seen on our streets” in a clear reference to some of the scenes at pro-Palestine demos in recent weeks.
Sunak added:”This government will do whatever it takes to keep the Jewish community safe.”The PM also mentioned Israel’s on-going war against Hamas in Gaza added calls from some for a ceasefire “would simply allow the terror group to “entrench its position and continue its attacks”.
He mentioned the statement from a Hamas spokesperson “only last week” which vowed to carry out more attacks on Israel of the sort that left over 1400 murdered on October 7th.
Sunak repeated his call for “humanitarian pauses” to allow aid to get into Gaza, and also mentioned that in the West Bank “settler violence must stop.”
The PM followed a Kings Speech response by the Labour leader.
As he spoke to MPs Keir Starmer noted: “It is now one month exactly since the senseless murder of Jews by the terrorists of Hamas and the taking of hostages on 7 October. ”
He added:”Hostages still held, thousands of civilians dead – including so many innocent women and children. Millions struggling for the basics of life – food, water, sanitation, medicines and fuel. We cannot and will not close our eyes to their suffering.”
Starmer joined Sunak’s call for “a humanitarian pause – now”, while adding the hostages help by Hamas also “need to be released – now.”
The Labour leader reiterated his belief that “Israel has the right and duty to defend herself”, but he cautioned “it’s not a blank cheque. It must comply with international law.”
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