Prime Minister Andy Burnham has told Britain's Jewish community "we stand with you" as he marked the third anniversary of the October 7 attack in Israel, voicing his anger at antisemitic attacks in Britain.
In a statement, Mr Burnham said the country will today remember the hundreds of people senselessly murdered by Hamas terrorists in Israel. He said the impact of the horrifying killings are still being felt across the world, and he was horrified by anti-Semitic attacks that have happened in the UK since.
Remembering the victims
Mr Burnham said: "Three years on from the October 7 attacks on Israel, we remember those who were senselessly killed by Hamas terrorists. The impact of the attacks has been felt not just in Israel, but in Jewish communities across the world who still bear the burden of the tragic events that day."
He noted that the UK has seen a number of antisemitic attacks in the past three years, including the killing of two British Jews, Melvin Kravitz, 66, and Adrian Daulby, 55, at Heaton Park Synagogue on October 2 last year. The PM stated an attack on Jewish people in Britain is an attack on all.
Rise in anti-Semitic behaviour
Mr Burnham said: "In the years since, we have seen a disturbing rise in anti-Semitic behaviour in the UK.
"A year ago we witnessed a horrifying terrorist attack on the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation in Manchester, with further attacks against Jewish people and institutions since.
"I want Britain's Jewish community to hear this from me directly. We stand with you. Abuse and violence against you, in any form, will not be tolerated. Not on our streets, not online, not in our schools or universities.
"That's why we are funding protection for synagogues, schools and community buildings, and why we will come down hard on anti-Semitism wherever it is found - in classrooms, on campuses and in neighbourhoods.
"At home, we are committed to protecting our citizens from vile hatred. Abroad, we continue to work towards a two-state solution, with Israelis and Palestinians living side by side in peace and security."
Commitment to stamp out anti-Semitism
He concluded: "An attack on Jewish people in Britain is an attack on all of us. Anti-Semitism has no place in this country, and we will do everything we can to stamp it out."
Around 1,200 people were killed in a series of co-ordinated attacks on Israel, including 378 in a massacre at the Nova music festival during the Simchat Torah Jewish holiday. Dozens of children were among the dead, while 251 civilians and soldiers were taken as hostages into Gaza. The horrific attack triggered a huge Israeli assault on Gaza, estimated to have claimed over 74,000 lives.
