United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made an unequivocal pledge of support for Israel during a speech at a London synagogue in the wake of the recent war between Israel and Hamas. Speaking at the Finchley United Synagogue on Monday night, Sunak condemned Hamas’s attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 people.
Sunak addressed the congregation with conviction, stating, “As the prime minister of this country, I am unequivocal. The people who support Hamas are fully responsible for this appalling attack. They are not militants. They are not freedom fighters. They are terrorists. And their barbaric acts are acts of evil.”
His words resonated with strength and determination as he continued, “To stand with you in this hour of grief as we mourn the victims of an utterly abhorrent act of terror. To stand with you in this hour of prayer as we think of those held hostage and your friends and loved ones taking refuge in bomb shelters or risking their lives on the front line. And, perhaps, above all, I wanted to come here tonight to stand with you in solidarity in Israel’s hour of need.”
The surprise attack by Hamas on Saturday prompted Israel’s security cabinet to officially declare war that very night. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a resolute statement, vowing that Hamas “will pay an unprecedented price” and acknowledging that the war would be a challenging and time-consuming endeavor.
Tragically, the conflict has resulted in approximately 1,600 casualties, with over 1,000 of them in Israel. Sunak’s speech captured the gravity of the situation, where he emphasized the heinous nature of the recent acts and acknowledged that peace seemed distant.
In a crowded synagogue, Sunak declared his unwavering support for the British Jewish community. He assured them, “And I will stand with you, the British Jewish community, not just today, not just tomorrow, but always.”
A joint statement released by Sunak and the leaders of the United States, Germany, France, and Italy reinforced their support for Israel’s efforts to defend itself. The statement unequivocally condemned Hamas and its acts of terrorism, declaring that “there is never any justification for terrorism.” It recounted the horrors of the recent days, when Hamas terrorists targeted families in their homes, attacked a music festival, and took elderly women, children, and families hostage.
As the world watches the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, the UK Prime Minister’s show of solidarity underlines the importance of global support for Israel during this tumultuous time.
