Starmer issues 5-word warning to anyone taking part in ‘un-British’ October 7 protests | UK | News
Keir Starmer issued a five-word statement challenging students planning widespread pro-Palestine protests on October 7. Thousands of university students are expected to attend demonstrations on the anniversary of Hamas attacks on Israel. The prime minister accused those protesting on Tuesday of a lack of respect and said he called on police to use the “full force of the law” against those who seek violence against Jews.
Two years after horrific attacks that left more than 1,200 people dead or kidnapped, universities across the country are preparing for large-scale marches. It comes after protests in Manchester and London on the same day as a terrorist attack on a synagogue last week. Jewish leaders, police forces and politicians ensured that the aftermath of the Manchester attack was postponed. However, university students still plan to continue their protests.
“This is not who we are as a country,” Sir Keir wrote. “As some exercised their freedom to protest against the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza, others used this as a despicable excuse to attack British Jews for something for which they have absolutely no responsibility,” he said.
The Prime Minister said anyone calling for the “killing of Jewish people they have never met” showed a “total loss of empathy” in Britain.
“This is not who we are as a country.
One demonstration was held at Queen Mary University of London, titled “Two years of genocide, two years of resistance.”
In Birmingham, a vigil is being held to “honor our martyrs,” as posters for the event read: “Two years of genocide, 100 years of resistance.”
In Glasgow, students at the University of Strathclyde are being urged to “capture your flag and the Keffiyeh” and join “Protest 4 Palestine”.
Elsewhere in London, King’s College is hosting a talk titled “Why it didn’t start on 7 October” and Goldsmiths, University of London, is advertising a protest for a “Night of Remembrance and Resistance”.
Louis Danker, president of the Union of Jewish Students, said: “We respect the right to protest within the law and the importance of free speech. There are 365 days a year, and on one of them – October 7 – Jewish students seek space to mourn loved ones killed in southern Israel.”
The official added: “Marking two years of resistance” on October 7 reflects a clear justification and glorification of the Hamas terrorist attacks on the campus that have been witnessed over the past two years. ”
