The Board of Deputies of British Jews facilitated a gathering on Monday in London where Keir Starmer, the relatively new prime minister of the United Kingdom, hosted Jewish leaders and family members of those killed or kidnapped by Hamas on Oct. 7.
“Sometimes in politics and in life we say things like, ‘I can imagine what it’s like.’ I can’t—it’s torture,” Starmer said on Monday morning at 10 Downing Street. “It’s impossible not to be moved by your pain and the agony you’re going through. I want you to know, as your prime minister, that every single word you said to me has been hugely impactful.”
The families also spoke to U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy and received a note of support from King Charles.
Starmer, who took office in July, told the families: “I don’t want any of you to walk out of here this morning and think it has not gone in. We will not give up until your family come home.”
Phil Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies, spoke following Starmer.
“For British Jews, these were not tragic events in some distant land,” Rosenberg said. “They were not even just the modern evil echoes—streamed live on go-pros by jubilant terrorists—of a history we thought was past: of the crusades, of the pogroms, of the Shoah.”
Rosenberg called on Starmer for his and the government’s help in bringing the hostages home, fighting antisemitism and supporting “a lasting peace through expanding the Abraham Accords.”
Hamas murdered Stephen Brisley’s sister, Lianne, and nieces, Noiya and Yahel, during the terrorist attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and about 250 hostages taken into the Gaza Strip.
“We owe it to them to not let their deaths be in vain,” said Rosenberg. “May we find the strength to carry their light forward and may their memories be a blessing.”
