October 7: A Time to Speak

The second anniversary of the October 7th attacks on Israel is fast approaching. The atrocities themselves—spread across multiple pogroms in southern Israel—would have been ample fuel to fire our revulsion and empathy. But it was the shocking display of celebration in our own cities in the days and weeks following the slaughter which did more than anything to trigger the founding of a new campaign against anti-Semitism—Our Fight.

Stories of terrorists sending gleeful messages to their parents that they had killed many Jews 'with their own hands' were disturbingly mirrored by the gloating and celebrating of left-wing groups, academics and Islamists outside of Israel.

And in the two years that have followed, this anti-Israel vitriol has only become worse. The main events of October 7th are frequently denied or belittled. There are claims that 'Israel deserved it', that it is an 'occupier', that the Jews should 'go back to Poland'. The macabre displays by Hamas during hostage returns were glossed over by the West, as were the murders of the Bibas babies and the chaotic return of their bodies, and their mother's. And every day brings new libels; from the bizarre—such as IDF snipers shooting children's genitals or poisoning flour—to the most deeply cutting; that Jews have 'become the Nazis' and are now guilty of genocide, the worst crime that humans have yet devised.

Yet even this is not the end. The last two years has shown that the old-fashioned libels and the crude accusations that we see on the streets are but a blunt expression of the prejudices of Western governments, trade unions, sporting associations and more—all striving to isolate Israel.

And here Britain has been one of the worst.

UK Government

Immediately after winning the last election the new Labour government reinstated funding to UNRWA—even though it was clear that UNRWA was itself compromised by employing Hamas members who had been involved in October 7th. Since then the UK have initiated arms embargoes, indicated they will prevent Israel's military from attending the Royal College of Defence Studies, blocked Israeli politicians from joining this year's DSEI defence industry event, said they would arrest Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu if he entered the UK, and most recently, decided that they will unilaterally recognise a Palestinian 'state'—even whilst the perpetrators of October 7th are still running Gaza, and even whilst their stated goal remains the destruction of Israel.

Although Our Fight has spent much of the last two years challenging these libels—and countering the protestors, politicians and organisations that help to spread them—our goal around this second anniversary is to ensure that the stories of October 7th reach a wider British audience and are not forgotten.

Never Forget

There is a time to mourn and a time to be silent, but now is a time to speak. We must keep the stories at the heart of October 7th alive, not just of those brutally murdered, or those held hostage, but the stories of courage and bravery; of the children who survived only because their parents gave their lives, of the fierce battles by soldiers to defend Sderot and recapture kibbutzim, of young heroes like Aner Shapira who died trying to save his friends in a bomb shelter.

The world said never again, yet it happened.

Event Details

Our Fight and British Friends of Israel are jointly organising an event of speakers and testimonies at a prestigious, indoor, Westminster venue at 7pm on Tuesday, October 7, to bear witness and preserve the truth.

We’ll hear from journalist and British Friends of Israel co-founder Allison Pearson and American-Israeli journalist and human rights activist Emily Schrader. They will address the deep significance of October 7th, not only for Israel and the Middle East, but for the West and for civilisation itself. At the heart of the evening will be testimonies and accounts from people who were directly affected by that day. There will also be a drinks reception until 9.30pm.

Tickets are available for £15, or £10 for students. Online tickets are also £10.

Read More

UK bans Israeli officials from flagship defence show

Israel says Britain’s decision to exclude it from military weapons showcase is a ‘regrettable act of discrimination’

The GuardianJamie Grierson

Exclusive: UK expected to restrict arms sales to Israel

MEE has learnt that the Labour government is likely to announce some restrictions on arms sales to Israel, but not suspend them entirely

Middle East EyeImran Mulla

UK’s most senior defense academy bans Israeli students | The Jerusalem Post

The most senior-level defense academy in the UK has announced it will not accept Israelis from next year due to the war in Gaza.

The Jerusalem Post | JPost.comMATHILDA HELLER

Why Starmer’s move to recognise Palestine is a major shift

Sir Keir Starmer is expected to formally recognise Palestine as a state in the coming days, despite opposition from Donald Trump. Sky News takes a look at how the prime minister’s position has evolved.

SkySerena Barker-Singh