Conservative Party Leader Rt. Hon. MP has warned that
“rewarding terrorists overseas emboldens the extremists who are
on our own soil”, as she addressed a Chanukah reception hosted by
CFI Honorary President CBE in the House of Lords
yesterday.
The event was attended by over 60 guests and Conservative
parliamentarians, including Israel's Chargé d'Affaires to the UK,
Daniela Grudsky-Ekstein.
In her remarks, the Leader of the Opposition noted that Jewish
families in Britain were once again marking Chanukah “with heavy
hearts” following the terror attack in Bondi Beach.
She described the “heartbreaking scenes from Sydney” where people
were murdered “simply for being Jewish.” “These were targeted
attacks. They were driven by that same ancient hatred that has
resurfaced with frightening confidence in too many parts of the
world,” she said. The Conservative Leader underlined that “here
at home we know that pain too. The attack at Heaton Park in
Manchester was an act of terror and it brought fear and anguish
to a community that is already living with a disturbing rise in
antisemitism.”
She pledged that, under her leadership, the Conservative Party
would treat the threat of antisemitism “with the seriousness that
it deserves - and that means action.” She stressed that
expressions of solidarity alone were insufficient, arguing that
“political leaders must have the courage and the moral conviction
to do what is necessary to keep us all safe.”
The Conservative MP for North West Essex said that “radical
Islamism is a threat to Western civilisation,” stating that it is
incompatible with British values of freedom, equality and the
rule of law. She outlined the need to dismantle extremist
organisations, protect Jewish schools and families, prevent
protests from becoming vehicles for violence, revoke visas from
those who glorify antisemitic terror, and ensure fair and equal
policing.
She also criticised Labour's decision to recognise a Palestinian
state while hostages were still being held by Hamas, saying that
Conservatives spoke out despite the decision being unpopular.
“Rewarding terrorists overseas emboldens the extremists who are
on our own soil,” she said. “That is not peace building – it is
appeasement, and history tells us exactly where that leads.”
Turning to the release of hostages, she welcomed the return home
of Emily Damari and all of the living hostages, describing it as
something to celebrate amid the darkness. She emphasised that
hope and light would not return on their own, but required
leadership and action.
Concluding her address, the Conservative Party Leader thanked
Conservative Friends of Israel for its work in strengthening the
UK-Israel relationship and confronting antisemitism, describing
the fight against antisemitism as “a test of our character as a
country.” Watch her full speech here.
At the event, thanked Conservative
parliamentarians for their support, noting the tireless efforts
of CFI Vice Chair CBE MP in probing the
controversial decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from
attending a match at Villa Park in November. The Conservative
peer led a moment of reflection in memory of the victims of the
Bondi Beach attacks.
Together with the Leader of the Opposition, lit the Chanukah candles
accompanied by singers Jacob and Talia Tapnack, students at
Immanuel College, and Stephen Levey, Head of Music at Immanuel
College, on the keyboard.
Graham Edwards, Conservative Party Treasurer and a member of
CFI's Advisory Council, gave the vote of thanks at the event.
