The communities secretary, Michael Gove, has told a rally in central London that the UK must stand with Israel in its fight against Hamas, as hundreds gathered to call for the safe return of hostages.
The “solidarity rally” in Trafalgar Square on Sunday afternoon was organised by a number of groups, including the Board of Deputies of British Jews. Many in the crowd chanted “Bring them home” and held signs saying “Release the hostages” as they queued to get in.
“There are no words to describe the suffering of families who have seen their relatives butchered in front of them and relatives who live in hope that those who were living peacefully in their homes just two weeks ago and are now in a Hamas dungeon should be freed,” Gove told them. “No words can sum up the evil of those responsible for these acts.
“But words matter and promises matter, and the world made a promise 75 years ago: never again.
“And what did we see a fortnight ago? The biggest, most horrific slaughter of Jewish people since the Holocaust, carried out by terrorists, an act of evil, unparalleled evil and barbarism. We must stand together against it. We must stand for life. We must bring the hostages home.”
The rally followed the surprise attack on southern Israel by Hamas militants on 7 October that killed 1,400 people, mainly civilians, in massacres that traumatised Israel. Since the attack, Israeli military strikes on Gaza have killed thousands of Palestinian civilians, including many children. According to the health ministry in Gaza, 4,741 Palestinians have died and nearly 16,000 more have been wounded. Authorities in Gaza said 40% of those killed in the territory were children.
One of the most pressing issues is the fate of the hostages being held there, said to number more than 200. At the London rally on Sunday, some people were holding Israeli flags, while others carried placards showing the faces of those taken hostage.
Gove told the rally in Trafalgar Square: “There is a difference between now and 1945, and that difference is the Jewish people have a home, they have a nation. That nation was born in hope to uphold humanity’s greatest virtues.”
Speaking at the rally, the chief rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, thanked the king, the Prince of Wales and cross-party political leaders for the support they have shown Israel. “It’s at a time such as this that we discover who our true friends are,” he told the rally.
“Your majesty King Charles, thank you for your support. The Prince of Wales, thank you for your support. Prime minister Rishi Sunak, thank you for your support. The leader of the opposition, Sir Keir Starmer, thank you for your support. Sir Ed Davey, thank you for your support.
“It’s at a time such as this that words do matter, and to all our friends from whom so far we haven’t heard a single word, your silence is deafening. Words do matter.
“Sometimes we hear reference to both sides or the two sides, but we ourselves know there are indeed two sides; one is good and the other is evil. Israel uses her forces in order to protect her citizens, while Hamas uses its citizens to protect its forces. Words do matter.
“Those who fail to condemn, condone. Those who refuse to call Hamas terrorists allow the legitimising of their brutal deeds.”
On Saturday about 100,000 demonstrators turned out in central London to show their support for the Palestinians and demand an end to Israel’s bombardment of Gaza.
