The United Kingdom Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak on Monday with heavy heart, has informed the House of Commons that at least six British citizens were killed and ten missing, which some of whom are feared to be among the dead over last week attack on Israel.
Sunak who made an oral statement to the House of Commons on the latest situation in Israel and Gaza said the attack shocked the world with over 1,400 people murdered, one by one, 3,500 wounded and almost 200 taken hostage.
According to him, “The elderly men, women, children, babies in arms – murdered, mutilated, burned alive. We should call it by its name: it was a pogrom. Mr Speaker, the families of some of the missing are in the public gallery today.
“We called for the immediate release of all hostages. And I say to them. We stand with you. We stand with Israel. The murdered and the missing come from 30 countries including United Kingdom. The terrible nature of these attacks means it is proving difficult to identify many of the deceased”, he said.
The PM made it known that the United Kingdom is working with Israel to establish the facts of how many people killed or missing as quickly as possible, and also supporting the families who are suffering unimaginable pain.
He said United kingdom is also helping British citizens who want to leave Israel. “We have organised 8 flights so far, bringing out over 500 people, with more leaving today. We’re working with neighbouring countries on land evacuations for our citizens in Gaza and the West Bank.
“I have spoken specifically to President Sisi about supporting civilians to leave Gaza via the Rafah border crossing – which at present remains closed. And we have a Border Force team in Egypt working with our Embassy to help citizens when they are able to cross”.
Addressing the British Jewish community directly, Sunak said the United Kingdom with them, now and always, saying this atrocity was an existential strike at the very idea of Israel as a safe homeland of the Jewish people. “I understand why it has shaken you to your core”.
The PM said he is sickened that antisemitic incidents have increased since the attacks adding that the government is doing everything possible to protect them.
He said the Govt is providing an additional £3 million for Community Security Trust to protect schools, synagogues, and other Jewish community buildings and working with the police to ensure that hate crime and the glorification of terror is met with the full force of the law.
“I know the whole house will support and join me in saying unequivocally: We stand with Jewish community. Mr Speaker, I also recognise that this is a moment of great anguish for British Muslim communities, 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, including many children.
“We mourn the loss of every innocent life – civilians of every faith, every nationality who has been killed. And so let’s say it plainly: we stand with British Muslim communities too. Mr Speaker, Israel was founded not just as a homeland for the Jewish people, but as a guarantor of their security.
“To ensure that what happened to the Jewish people in Holocaust could never happen again. Through its strength, resilience Israel gradually achieved some longed for security. Despite strategic threats on their borders, including Hezbollah in the north, with Iran at their back”.
UK’s Sunak noted one reason why this attack is so shocking, says it is a fundamental challenge to any idea of coexistence which is an essential precursor to peace and stability in the region. “I believe we must support, absolutely, Israel’s right to defend itself.
“To go after Hamas, take back the hostages, deter further incursions, and strengthen its security for the long term. But this must be done in line with international humanitarian law but also recognising that they face a vicious enemy that embeds itself behind civilians”, he said.