What's happened
On the anniversary of the October 7 attacks, Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed solidarity with the Jewish community and called for ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon. He condemned the violence affecting civilians and highlighted the ongoing plight of hostages. Starmer's remarks come amid rising tensions and protests in the UK related to the conflict.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Mirror, Prime Minister Keir Starmer described October 7 as 'the darkest day in Jewish history since the Holocaust,' emphasizing the need for unity and support for the Jewish community. He also condemned the violence in Gaza, stating, 'We must not look the other way as civilians bear the ongoing dire consequences of this conflict.' Meanwhile, The Guardian highlighted Starmer's calls for immediate ceasefires, reflecting a broader concern for humanitarian issues in the region. The Prime Minister's remarks come amid rising tensions in the UK, with community leaders warning of fragile relations between Jewish and Muslim communities. Imam Qari Asim noted the 'apocalypse' in the Middle East, while Rabbi Jonathan Romain expressed concerns over the security of Jewish people in Britain post-attack. This dual focus on both communities underscores the complexity of the situation and the need for a balanced approach to peace and security.
How we got here
The October 7 attacks by Hamas resulted in over 1,200 deaths, marking a significant escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Since then, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has worsened, prompting calls for ceasefires and increased attention to the suffering of civilians on both sides.
More on these topics
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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Sir Keir Rodney Starmer KCB QC MP is a British politician and former lawyer who has served as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition since 2020. He has been Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras since 2015.
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Gaza may refer to: