Sunak pledged Britain’s unwavering support for Israel (Image: Getty)
Rishi Sunak pledged Britain’s unwavering support for Israel last night in its fight against the “horror and barbarism” of terrorists.
The Prime Minister backed the state’s right to defend itself in the wake of “vile” attacks by Hamas that have so far left 1,300 of their people dead. In a resounding message, he declared: “To the people of Israel, I say Britain is with you…not just today, not just tomorrow, but always.”
Mr Sunak spoke as Israeli troops amassed outside the Gaza Strip ready to launch a ground offensive to root out the murderers who are holding 64 hostages, 17 of them British.
Thousands of marchers took to the streets of seven major British cities yesterday, waving Palestinian flags and chanting anti-Israel slogans.
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, suspended for disputing the scale of anti-Semitism in his party, addressed the crowd at a rally in London.
Israel has given 1.1 million civilians living in northern Gaza 24 hours to flee south or risk being caught in a military escalation. But Hamas leaders were accused of blockading the main road used as an escape route – prompting accusations they are prepared to use their own people as human shields.
Last night Israel extended the deadline but the exodus from Gaza City, where the terrorists are believed to be hiding in a network of tunnels, was still far from complete.
Britain’s 290,000-strong Jewish community has faced deepening anti-Semitism since last week’s atrocities and Mr Sunak delivered a searingly personal message to them.
He said: “At moments like this, when Jewish people are under attack in their homeland, Jewish people everywhere can feel less safe. We’ve seen intimidating behaviour and shameful anti-Semitism. I say: not here. Not in Britain. Not in our country. Not in this century.”
In London, thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters joined Mr Corbyn, with some chanting “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”. The slogan has been interpreted as a call for the destruction of the state of Israel. It came despite police warnings that displays of support for Hamas could result in arrest.
Other pro-Palestinian marches took place across the UK in Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol, Newcastle and Glasgow. The crowd walked from BBC New Broadcasting House to Downing Street. At one point in the march a group surrounded a man in Parliament Square wearing a kippah skullcap with the Israeli flag on it. He was shielded by a team of Met Police officers.
READ MORE Angry scenes as police and teenage protesters clash during pro-Palestine rally
Israeli Navy eliminate Hamas terrorists at sea
A demonstrator was also arrested in Trafalgar Square after allegedly throwing a stick at a police van. As officers pursued him a large crowd confronted them, shoving and throwing objects at police, including bottles. Seven arrests were made at the demo.
Ministers had called on police to use the “full force of the law” against shows of support for Hamas. The London
march organisers, including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Stop the War Coalition and the Muslim Association of Britain, said 100,000 people attended.
Mr Corbyn, sitting as an independent MP, said around the world people were standing in support of the people in Gaza. He told the crowd gathered in Whitehall: “If you believe in international law, if you believe in human rights, then you must condemn what is happening now in Gaza by the Israeli army.”
The London march had set off from the BBC’s Broadcasting House which earlier had been targeted with red paint.
The broadcaster has come under fire from ministers and Jewish groups for maintaining its editorial stance not to describe Hamas militants as terrorists.
Pro-Palestine marches were held around the country (Image: Getty)
Palestine Action claimed responsibility, accusing the BBC of having “Palestinian blood on your hands” for “spreading
the occupation’s lies and manufacturing consent for Israel’s war crimes.” Mr Sunak remained unflinching in his message, saying: “No words can begin to describe the horror and barbarism unleashed in Israel a week ago.
“British citizens were among the victims. And as we continue to learn more, I know there are families here and in Israel in deep pain and torment. My thoughts and my heart go out to everyone suffering in the wake of these attacks.
“I know that the days and weeks ahead will continue to be very difficult. To the people of Israel, I say Britain is with you. What took place was an act of pure evil and Israel has every right to defend itself. We will do everything we can to support Israel in restoring the security it deserves.”
He added: “To our Jewish community in the UK: I know you are hurting and reeling from these vile terrorist acts. We will do everything we possibly can to protect Jewish people in our country.
“And if anything is standing in the way of keeping the Jewish community safe, we will fix it.” He ended his message with the Hebrew phrase “Am Yisrael Chai” – the people of Israel live.
He said: “I am unequivocal. We stand with Israel, not just today, not just tomorrow, but always. And I stand with you, the British Jewish community, not just today, not just tomorrow, but always.”
Last night, Sir Keir Starmer said: “I’ve met with members of the British Jewish community and told them that we stand with Israel and with them at this time. There must be zero tolerance of any increase in anti-Semitism or Islamo-phobia. Hamas has no interest in peace. No interest in protecting Palestinians.”
Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Lior Haiat said yesterday “in these dark days there is also some light” and Israel will never forget “our friends that stood by us”. But he added: “We will remember the ones that could not wait to demonise Israel. The ones who spoke about ‘proportionally’ when Israeli babies were murdered and burned alive.
“The ones that refused to call these murderers what they are: terrorists.”
