Under-pressure Starmer urges ‘silent majority’ to stand with Britain’s Jews against Islamist extremism
Commons unites as Starmer and Shah urge action against antisemitism and hate
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged the “silent majority” in the UK to stand alongside Britain’s Jewish community in the fight against the “warped Islamist ideology” that has inspired terror attacks, including the recent double stabbing in Golders Green.
In his first Commons statement since the April 29 incident—which left two Jewish men hospitalised—Starmer condemned what he described as the “latest in a series of appalling antisemitic attacks.”
He warned of a “hatred that leads some to march calling for the murder of British Jews,” highlighting the urgent need for national solidarity.
Speaking after the King’s Speech was delivered at the State Opening of Parliament, Starmer referenced his own record in tackling antisemitism within Labour, saying:“I fought this hatred in my own political party. I’ve sat with others as they describe what it means for them—the fear, the sense that maybe they shouldn’t wear something or do something that might reveal their Jewish identity, just in case.”
He continued, “It is time for the silent majority in this country to speak up, to stand with British Jews, and defeat this hatred once and for all.”
Starmer also made light of the ongoing speculation about his leadership during his Commons speech.
“The gracious speech was brilliantly proposed by my honourable friend, the member for Bradford West (Naz Shah),” he said.
“Members across the House will have read her remarkable new book. Her list of endorsements is truly impressive, reaching well over 100 members—at last, a list that we could all get behind.”
Health Secretary Wes Streeting was seen laughing at the Prime Minister’s jokes, despite reports of his own ambitions for party leadership.
Meanwhile, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Starmer of facing a “crisis of vision, charisma and electoral success.”
Earlier, Labour MP Naz Shah made history as the first Muslim MP to propose the formal Loyal Address in the House of Commons.
In her speech, she called for unity between Jewish and Muslim citizens in Bradford, urging the nation to stand up against hate that leaves Jews afraid to wear kippahs and Muslims fearful to wear hijabs.
Starmer was pictured arriving at parliament for the King’s Speech with his wife Lady Victoria.
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