An emotional Rishi Sunak has confirmed that six British citizens are confirmed dead since Hamas’ violent attack on Israel a week ago on Saturday.
The Prime Minister delivered the news with a “heavy heart”, adding that a further 10 British citizens are missing, “some of whom are feared to be among the dead”.
Mr Sunak told a silent Commons that Britain is working with Israel to establish the facts as quickly as possible, adding “we are supporting the families who are suffering unimaginable pain”.
The emotional pique of the afternoon was hit when the PM revealed some of the families of those missing were sitting in the House of Commons’ public gallery watching proceedings.
He called for the “immediate release of all hostages”.
“I say to them: We stand with you. We stand with Israel”.
He said the Government is also helping British citizens who are trying to leave Israel, having organised eight flights out of Israel so far, bringing 500 people back to Britain, with more flights leaving today.
He addressed the despicable rise in domestic incidents of antisemitism since the war began, speaking to the British-Jewish community directly.
“As I said at Finchley United Synagogue last week, and at the Jewish school I visited this morning, we stand with you now and always.
“This atrocity was an existential strike at the very idea of Israel as a safe homeland for the Jewish people.
“I understand why it has shaken you to your core and I am sickened that antisemitic incidents have increased since the attack. We are doing everything we can to protect you.”
Mr Sunak also addressed British Muslims, recognising “this is a moment of great anguish” for the community “who are also appalled by Hamas’ actions but fearful of the response”.
“We must listen to these concerns with the same attentiveness.
“Hamas is using innocent Palestinian people as human shields with the tragic loss of more than 2,600 Palestinian lives… we mourn the loss of every innocent life.
“Let’s say it plainly, we stand with British Muslim communities too.”
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer spoke in unity with the Prime Minister, in stark contrast to his predecessor.
He said: “As in any time of grave crisis it is crucial that this house speaks with one voice in condemnation of terror, in support of Israel in its time of agony, and for the dignity of all human life”.
The Labour leader warned that Hamas “do not want to see peace in the Middle East; they just want to see Israel wiped off the map”.
“But Hamas are not the Palestinian people and the Palestinian people are not Hamas. So the Labour Party stands with Israel, Britain stands with Israel.”
“Last Saturday Israel was the victim of terrorism on an unimaginable scale. The senseless murder of men, women, children, even babies, the horrors of hostage-taking, music festivals turned to killing fields, innocent Jews slaughtered within their own kibbutz – an attack with no cause other than bloodshed.”
