Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, described the need for the hostages in Gaza to be returned “immediately and unconditionally” during a speech this morning to family members of the British citizens who were taken captive or killed on October 7th by terrorist organisation Hamas.
The Prime Minister hosted the event on Monday morning, attended by family members of hostages and those who were killed on October 7th, as well as representatives of different Jewish denominations and key communal organisations. The Board of Deputies of British Jews was pleased to help facilitate the event, the first hosted in Downing Street for the Jewish community since the new Government took office.
The Prime Minister met prior to the event with some of the family members of British hostages and victims of October 7th.
“Sometimes in politics and in life we say things like ‘I can imagine what it’s like’. I can’t – it’s torture”, he said in his speech.
“It’s impossible not to be moved by your pain and the agony you’re going through. I want you to know, as your Prime Minister, that every single word you said to me has been hugely impactful”, he told the family members he had just met.
“I don’t want any of you to walk out of here this morning and think it has not gone in. We will not give up until your family come home.”
Speaking after the Prime Minister, Phil Rosenberg, President of the Board of Deputies, described how “for British Jews, these were not tragic events in some distant land. They were not even just the modern evil echoes – streamed live on go-pros by jubilant terrorists – of a history we thought was past: of the crusades, of the pogroms, of the Shoah.
“So many of us were impacted personally too.”
He described the loss of Nathanel Young, from Southgate, a family friend, and the family members of Board of Deputies staff member Adam Ma’anit, whose 18 year old cousin, Maayan, was murdered on October 7th. Her father, Tzachi was taken captive by Hamas, and as Phil said: “Nearly a year on, nothing is known of his wellbeing. Nothing is known of his whereabouts”.
Addressing Sir Keir, whom he had also thanked for facing down antisemitism within the Labour Party, he said “Once again, Prime Minister, our community needs your help. We need you and your Government to help us fight antisemitism, build cohesion, bring back the hostages, safeguard Israel’s security, give the Palestinians a dignified future, and forge a lasting peace, through expanding the Abraham Accords and by pursuing that elusive two-state solution, with a secure Israel alongside a viable Palestinian state.”
Phil described how “we hope and pray every day for the safe return of the 101 hostages still held captive by Hamas in Gaza, including those who are British or who have a British connection. Bring Them Home, Now!”
Hostage family members also addressed those present. Mandy Damari, whose daughter Emily is still held hostage in Gaza, described how “my personal clock stopped at 10:24 on the 7th of October”, which was when Emily had sent a message she was unable to finish, as Hamas attacked.
“My only daughter, who I love with all my heart and soul…the strongest person I know”, she said. “She loves life, however, her life is no longer in her own hands.”
Stephen Brisley, whose sister Lianne and nieces Noiya and Yahel were killed on October 7th, also spoke. Stephen’s brother-in-law Eli and Eli’s brother Yossi were taken hostage – Yossi was killed in January. He movingly described his family members and how much they “loved life”.
“We owe it to them to not let their deaths be in vain…may we find the strength to carry their light forward and may their memories be a blessing.”
Adrian Cohen, Senior Vice President of the Board of Deputies, led the assembled in the singing of Psalm 121 (Esa Einai) and the prayer for hostages (Acheinu), as well as the recitation of the Mourner’s prayer (Kaddish).