Hamas Attacks: First Anniversary

In an Adjournment debate in the House of Commons, the Member of Parliament for High Peak, Jon Pearce, opened the discussion by solemnly reflecting on the anniversary of the devastating Hamas terrorist attack in Israel on October 7th last year. He recounted the horrific details of the attack, which claimed the lives of 1,195 Israelis and 79 foreign nationals, and left over 4,800 people injured. Pearce emphasized that this was the worst terrorist attack in Israel's history and the bloodiest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust. Pearce shared the heartbreaking stories of the victims, including the Kutz family from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, who were found murdered in their beds, and the young British-Israeli twins Yanni and Liel, who were killed alongside their great aunt and grandfather. He also highlighted the plight of the hostages, such as Emily Damari, a British citizen who was violently kidnapped, and the other British nationals still being held captive by Hamas. Pearce condemned Hamas as a terrorist organization and expressed his deep concern over the rise of antisemitism in the UK, which he said has been exacerbated by the attack. He called for the immediate and unconditional release of all the hostages and urged the government to do everything in its power to support the Jewish community and combat the spread of hatred. In response, the Minister of State from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Stephen Doughty, expressed the government's unwavering support for Israel and its right to self-defense. He condemned the "barbaric attack" by Hamas and reiterated the government's commitment to securing the release of the hostages, including British citizen Emily Damari. Doughty acknowledged the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the need for immediate action to provide aid and alleviate the suffering of the civilian population. He also condemned the recent escalation of violence involving Hezbollah and Iran, and stressed the importance of pursuing a political solution to the conflict in order to achieve a sustainable peace. The Minister assured the House that the government would continue to work with partners in the region and use every diplomatic lever to bring about a ceasefire and a negotiated political solution, with the ultimate goal of a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.