Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of appeasing Hamas as a rabbi whose family was killed by the terrorists plans to protest at the Labour Party conference. As the Government’s annual event takes place, Rabbi Leo Dee plans to demonstrate from outside, questioning Sir Keir’s choice to recognise a Palestinian state. Rabbi Dee’s wife, 48, and their daughters, who were 20 and 15, were shot dead by Hamas while on holiday in April 2023.
Last week, the prime minister officially recognised Palestine as a state “to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis”. The UK Government acknowledged that the symbolic move would not ease the crisis in Gaza nor contribute to the freeing of the hostages taken by Hamas. In response, Rabbi Dee planned to attend the conference on Monday holding a banner reading: “Hamas, funded by the Palestinian Authority, murdered my British wife and daughters. Why is Keir recognising a Palestinian state?”
He told The Telegraph: “Churchill said appeasement is feeding the crocodile in the hope that you will be the last one to be eaten, and that’s what it feels like Keir Starmer’s policy is. And it puts British citizens in direct danger.”
He added: “How many British citizens need to be murdered by a terrorist group before Keir Starmer will recognise them as an independent state?”
Rabbi Dee also questioned if the prime minister’s choice means he will “cave into Islamic fundamentalists in the UK and recognise their independence under sharia law”.
The families of some of the hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7 terror attack had urged Sir Keir not to go ahead with recognition.
In an open letter to the prime minister, they said: “Your regrettable announcement of the UK’s intention to recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly has dramatically complicated efforts to bring home our loved ones.
“Hamas has already celebrated the UK’s decision as a victory and reneged on a ceasefire deal.
“We write to you with a simple plea – do not take this step until our loved ones are home and in our arms.”
Tory shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel accused Sir Keir of “capitulating” to Labour backbenchers on the issue.
She said: “With the terrorist organisation Hamas still holding hostages in barbaric conditions and glorifying acts of terror, Starmer is sending a dangerous message, where violence and extremism are tolerated and rewarded.”
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage added: “Hamas and a Palestinian state are inseparable for now. This is typical of Starmer, he can’t really decide where he stands.
“Whatever the caveats in his statement, this announcement is a surrender to terrorism and a betrayal of Israel.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu branded the move “absurd” and “simply a reward for terrorism”.
