Latest news with #EphraimMirvis
Glasgow Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Hundreds march to Downing Street urging release of Israeli hostages
There were several flare-ups from counter-protesters and three arrests as the National March for the Hostages, organised by Stop the Hate UK and a number of Jewish organisations, made its way through central London on Sunday. It comes after Sir Keir Starmer pledged to recognise a Palestinian state in September unless the Israeli government meets a series of conditions towards ending the conflict in Gaza. Two men – one demonstrator and another man – were involved in a scuffle outside Downing Street (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Stop the Hate said that protesters will urge the Prime Minister to prioritise the release of the 50 remaining Israeli hostages, with 20 of them thought to be alive, before any recognition of a Palestinian state. Among those due to attend and give a speech is Noga Guttman, the cousin of 24-year-old Evyatar David, who was kidnapped. Hamas released a video last weekend which showed Mr David looking skeletal and hollow-eyed in a dimly lit Gaza tunnel. Some protesters held Israeli flags and wore yellow ribbons as they congregated in Lincoln's Inn Fields in Holborn from 1.30pm. A scuffle broke out after at least two men shouted 'Free Palestine' in front of the march close to Trafalgar Square. One man was seen being bundled to the ground after being surrounded by about a dozen people, while another man was seen being moved away by police officers after he began shouting. Earlier, on The Strand, a young man was kept away from the protesters after shouting 'Free Palestine'. Another man was carried away by officers after a scuffle broke out close to the gates of Downing Street. Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis (centre left) joins family members of hostages being held by Palestinian militant group Hamas, Jewish community leaders and antisemitism campaigners in central London (Stefan Rousseau/PA) He was seen throwing water over a pro-Israel demonstrator before charging at him and putting his hand around the demonstrator's neck, before officers intervened. The Metropolitan Police said officers were deployed along the route 'to ensure the safety of those attending and to deal with any offences.' A man, who was not part of the march, was arrested for common assault and a racially aggravated public order offence after the march briefly paused just past Charing Cross, the force said. There were two further arrests for assault during the assembly following a disagreement between attendees in the crowd. Addressing the crowd in Whitehall, the UK's Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis said: 'To our Government we turn and we say 'how would you ever be able to live with the fact that you would have recognised a Palestinian state, at the head of which is a terrorist organisation, with a stated intention of destroying the state of Israel and harming Jews right around the world and all this at a time when the hostages are still languishing in the tunnels of Gaza?' 'The Labour Party, both in opposition and now in Government, has had a mantra, they have continuously been saying 'don't judge us by our words, judge us by our deeds'. 'And to our Government we say right now this is the time for responsible action, it is not too late.' Ayelet Svatitzky, whose brothers Roi and Nadav Popplewell were murdered, said in her own speech: 'This week I joined a meeting with the UK Government to continue to press our case that the hostages must be freed before the UK Government can recognise the state of Palestine. Ayelet Svatitzky, whose brothers Roi and Nadav Popplewell were murdered, speaks to supporters during the National March For The Hostages in central London (Stefan Rousseau/PA) 'As I said to the Government, to recognise the state without the return of all of the hostages is a prize to Hamas for the murder of my two brothers.' Two speakers from a progressive Judaism movement were booed at the assembly after saying that Palestinians have the 'right to self-determination'. Rabbi Charley Baginsky said: 'We call for an end to this war through a deal that brings the hostages home and the permanent restoration of humanitarian aid to Gaza.' Some in the crowd began booing and shouting 'no deal', while one man shouted 'smash Hamas'. Rabbi Josh Levy then said: 'The Palestinian people like us have the right to self-determination. Protesters gathered for an assembly in Whitehall at the end of the march (Stefan Rousseau/PA) 'But how it is done matters too, we reject a methodology that tries to force this future through violence, terror and the suffering of civilians.' More in the crowd joined in the booing, while some shouted 'shame on you' and demanded that the pair be removed. It comes after Foreign Secretary David Lammy joined his counterparts from Australia, Italy, Germany and New Zealand to condemn Israeli plans to take over Gaza City. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said, on Friday, that Israel would seek 'the demilitarisation of the Gaza Strip', as well as 'Israeli security control in the Gaza Strip' and 'the establishment of an alternative civil administration that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority'. In their joint statement, the foreign ministers said the plans 'risk violating international law' and 'any attempts at annexation or of settlement extension violate international law'. Sir Keir described Israel's plans as 'wrong' and called for 'a ceasefire, a surge in humanitarian aid, the release of all hostages by Hamas and a negotiated solution'. He said the UK will recognise a Palestinian state in September unless Israel agrees to meet certain conditions, including addressing the humanitarian crisis, implementing a ceasefire and reviving the prospect of a two-state solution. But he insisted the move was not a propaganda boost to Hamas, saying the 'terrorist organisation' could play 'no part in any future government'.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Pro-Israel protest sees hundreds march through central London
Hundreds of pro-Israel demonstrators marched through central London on Sunday to demand the release of hostages still held in Gaza and to show their support for the led by the UK's chief rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and the Jewish direct action group Stop The Hate held Israeli flags and placards showing the faces of expressed anger at the UK's intention to recognise a Palestinian state in September unless Israel meets certain conditions, with several people telling the BBC that this was a "reward for Hamas".One man, who was not part of the march, was arrested for common assault and a racially aggravated public order offence, the Metropolitan Police said. Small scuffles briefly broke out near Trafalgar Square with a handful of people chanting pro-Palestinian slogans. Some were led away by Ma'anit, who lost several family members in the Hamas-led cross-border attacks on 7 October 2023, said the UK government had not "exhausted all possibilities" to free the remaining hostages."The freedom of the hostages unlocks new pathways, and it's the swiftest way to break the crisis in the Middle East," he told the BBC."I want the UK government to stop messing things up," he said, adding that its "bungled" announcement regarding a Palestinian state left Hamas "sitting pretty" and knowing "they had won an advantage". It is thought 20, of the remaining 50 hostages held in Gaza, are believed to be protesters held pictures of Evyatar David - the 24-year-old who was shown looking emaciated and weak in a Hamas video released earlier this month, prompting outrage both in Israel and who did not want to give her second name, told the BBC that "we need to carry on remembering" the hostages."We need to get them home. We need more people here. There's a lot of moral confusion going on at the moment." Many protesters said Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer should be prioritising the release of the hostages."The hostages have been rotting in the tunnels and the British government haven't been putting pressure on Hamas," said Daniel, another protester. "It's outrageous."A large security presence was in place for the march, including police and Jewish safety of the protesters held signs saying 'end Jew hatred', with several attendees telling the BBC they were concerned for their safety in the groups say there has been a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents in Britain since 7 October 2023, the date of the Hamas-led attacks on Israel when about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken then, 61,430 people have been killed in Gaza as a result of Israeli military operations, the health ministry protest came a day after a demonstration in London in support of banned group Palestine Action, which saw 532 people arrested.
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
UK's chief rabbi criticises Labour's Palestine pledge at march for hostages
The chief rabbi has criticised Labour's pledge to recognise a Palestinian state at a 'national march for the hostages' in central London organised by a number of Jewish groups. Family members of Israeli hostages taken on 7 October also joined the march on Downing Street to urge the release of those being held by the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Some protesters held Israeli flags and wore yellow ribbons as they congregated in Lincoln's Inn Fields in cental London on Sunday afternoon. The UK's most senior rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, addressed the march close to Downing Street. Mirvis said: 'To our government we turn and we say: 'How would you ever be able to live with the fact that you would have recognised a Palestinian state, at the head of which is a terrorist organisation, with a stated intention of destroying the state of Israel and harming Jews right around the world and all this at a time when the hostages are still languishing in the tunnels of Gaza?' 'The Labour party, both in opposition and now in government, has had a mantra, they have continuously been saying 'don't judge us by our words, judge us by our deeds'. 'And to our government we say right now this is the time for responsible action, it is not too late.' He added: 'We will continue to do whatever we can for the sake of each and every one of the hostages.' Keir Starmer has pledged to recognise a Palestinian state in September unless the Israeli government meets a series of conditions towards ending the conflict in Gaza. Stop the Hate said protesters were urging the prime minister to prioritise the release of 50 remaining Israeli hostages, with 20 of them whom are thought to be alive, before any recognition of a Palestinian state. They marched to Downing Street where Noga Guttman, the cousin of kidnapped 24-year-old Evyatar David, gave a speech. Other speakers included Ayelet Svatitzky, whose brothers Roi and Nadav Popplewell were, respectively, murdered and died in captivity, and Adam Ma'anit. Ma'anit, whose cousin Tsachi Idan saw his eldest daughter's murder before he himself was later killed, said that he was at the protest as he did not want others to lose loved ones. Ma'anit said: 'I think that the government got it wrong with its foreign policy, that it's time for it to correct and refocus on the hostages, and also to understand that by bringing the hostages, freeing the hostages, and helping to bring that about will also help us to unlock new pathways for solving the crisis in the Middle East. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion 'It takes the wind out of the sails of war and puts us on a new direction.' He added: 'They threatened to recognise the state of Palestine if there was no ceasefire with Hamas. But that's a reverse incentive because why would Hamas want to have a ceasefire if it can get, by default, recognition of the Palestinian state?' The Metropolitan police confirmed a man had been arrested at the march. The Met said the individual, who was not part of the march, was held for common assault and a racially aggravated public order offence after the march briefly paused just past Charing Cross. A scuffle broke out after at least two men shouted 'Free Palestine' in front of the march.
The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Hundreds march to Downing Street urging release of Israeli hostages
It comes after Sir Keir Starmer pledged to recognise a Palestinian state in September unless the Israeli government meets a series of conditions towards ending the conflict in Gaza. Two men – one demonstrator and another man – were involved in a scuffle outside Downing Street (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Stop the Hate said that protesters will urge the Prime Minister to prioritise the release of the 50 remaining Israeli hostages, with 20 of them thought to be alive, before any recognition of a Palestinian state. Among those due to attend and give a speech is Noga Guttman, the cousin of 24-year-old Evyatar David, who was kidnapped. Hamas released a video last weekend which showed Mr David looking skeletal and hollow-eyed in a dimly lit Gaza tunnel. Some protesters held Israeli flags and wore yellow ribbons as they congregated in Lincoln's Inn Fields in Holborn from 1.30pm. A scuffle broke out after at least two men shouted 'Free Palestine' in front of the march close to Trafalgar Square. One man was seen being bundled to the ground after being surrounded by about a dozen people, while another man was seen being moved away by police officers after he began shouting. Earlier, on The Strand, a young man was kept away from the protesters after shouting 'Free Palestine'. Another man was carried away by officers after a scuffle broke out close to the gates of Downing Street. Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis (centre left) joins family members of hostages being held by Palestinian militant group Hamas, Jewish community leaders and antisemitism campaigners in central London (Stefan Rousseau/PA) He was seen throwing water over a pro-Israel demonstrator before charging at him and putting his hand around the demonstrator's neck, before officers intervened. The Metropolitan Police said officers were deployed along the route 'to ensure the safety of those attending and to deal with any offences.' A man, who was not part of the march, was arrested for common assault and a racially aggravated public order offence after the march briefly paused just past Charing Cross, the force said. Addressing the crowd in Whitehall, the UK's Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis said: 'To our Government we turn and we say 'how would you ever be able to live with the fact that you would have recognised a Palestinian state, at the head of which is a terrorist organisation, with a stated intention of destroying the state of Israel and harming Jews right around the world and all this at a time when the hostages are still languishing in the tunnels of Gaza?' 'The Labour Party, both in opposition and now in Government, has had a mantra, they have continuously been saying 'don't judge us by our words, judge us by our deeds'. 'And to our Government we say right now this is the time for responsible action, it is not too late.' Ayelet Svatitzky, whose brothers Roi and Nadav Popplewell were murdered, said in her own speech: 'This week I joined a meeting with the UK Government to continue to press our case that the hostages must be freed before the UK Government can recognise the state of Palestine. Ayelet Svatitzky, whose brothers Roi and Nadav Popplewell were murdered, speaks to supporters during the National March For The Hostages in central London (Stefan Rousseau/PA) 'As I said to the Government, to recognise the state without the return of all of the hostages is a prize to Hamas for the murder of my two brothers.' It comes after Foreign Secretary David Lammy joined his counterparts from Australia, Italy, Germany and New Zealand to condemn Israeli plans to take over Gaza City. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said, on Friday, that Israel would seek 'the demilitarisation of the Gaza Strip', as well as 'Israeli security control in the Gaza Strip' and 'the establishment of an alternative civil administration that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority'. In their joint statement, the foreign ministers said the plans 'risk violating international law' and 'any attempts at annexation or of settlement extension violate international law'. Sir Keir described Israel's plans as 'wrong' and called for 'a ceasefire, a surge in humanitarian aid, the release of all hostages by Hamas and a negotiated solution'. He said the UK will recognise a Palestinian state in September unless Israel agrees to meet certain conditions, including addressing the humanitarian crisis, implementing a ceasefire and reviving the prospect of a two-state solution. But he insisted the move was not a propaganda boost to Hamas, saying the 'terrorist organisation' could play 'no part in any future government'.
The Guardian
03-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Israel's actions offend us more than Bob Vylan
I do appreciate Marina Hyde's irony and dry humour, I really do (Glastonbury chanters or the Southport hate-tweeter – throw the book at one, you must throw it at them all, 1 July). However, whether the Glastonbury incident constituted a criminal offence or not, her lumping together of Bob Vylan and Lucy Connolly is a case of intellectual apples and pears. During last year's riots, people were actually attacking and attempting to burn alive asylum seekers in hotels. No one is in a position to attack the Israel Defense Forces, who are the ones allegedly committing war crimes – eg burning and blasting people to death in cafes populated by students on the shores of the Mediterranean – and a military force that our own government is still giving arms and intelligence assistance to. But I do take her point about how the criminalisation of these incidents sets 50% of the population against the other 50% – and I've probably just proved her HewittMarlborough, Wiltshire Marina Hyde is right. If this is still supposed to be a liberal democracy we must be very reluctant to lock people up for what they say, however hateful and offensive we find it. It is tragic that progressives have conceded the cause of free speech to their reactionary rivals, whose insincerity is breathtaking. Jonathan Allum Amersham, Buckinghamshire Ephraim Mirvis, the UK's chief rabbi, said Bob Vylan's appearance at Glastonbury was a 'national shame' (Allies of BBC chief Tim Davie fear latest controversy may damage his leadership, 1 July). I think that the Israeli government's treatment of the people of Gaza is a national shame for Israel. To echo Owen Jones (1 July), all the people getting aerated over Bob Vylan and not over the senseless, barbaric killing of civilians in Gaza have become detached from reality. Let's call it what it is – genocide. My mother, a Holocaust survivor, would be turning in her GripaiosHovingham, North Yorkshire There is much ado about 'appalling hate speech', as Keir Starmer put it. What troubles me more is the appalling hate SimpsonDurham Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
