Sadiq Khan condemns 'reprehensible' actions of Israel in statement on third anniversary of October 7 attacks

Sadiq Khan has sparked fury after using a statement marking the third anniversary of the October 7 attacks to condemn the 'reprehensible actions' of the Israeli government.The Mayor of London said the UK Government was 'right to call out the reprehensible actions of the Israeli government' as he turned his attention to the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.His intervention came as Jewish communities across Britain marked three years since Hamas terrorists murdered around 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages in the October 7 2023 attacks. The anniversary is being marked by vigils and commemorations in London, while a pro-Palestinian student march in the capital has prompted warnings from police and widespread criticism over its timing. The Israeli embassy in London condemned Mr Khan's decision to criticise Israel in his anniversary statement, accusing him of 'tainted' the occasion.'It is completely inappropriate for the Mayor of London to have tainted his statement today by pivoting to attacking the state of Israel.'Hate marches will be taking place today on his streets and we await his condemnation of them. The Mayor of London said the UK Government was 'right to call out the reprehensible actions of the Israeli government' Sadiq Khan's statement on the third anniversary of the October 7 attacks Sadiq Khan's statement on the third anniversary of the October 7 attacks'Today Jewish Londoners are marking the anniversary of the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. It is a day for mourning, remembrance, and solidarity with a community that has lived with fear and a surge in hatred ever since.'The Mayor of London chose to use this moment to turn to the 'unfathomable suffering and killing of Palestinians', and to criticise what he calls the 'reprehensible actions' of the Israeli government. 'Whatever one's views on the war, the timing is callous. Remembrance of the victims of October 7 should not be treated as an occasion for political positioning.'Mr Khan had begun his statement by remembering the victims of the Hamas attack and condemning antisemitism.'Three years on from Hamas' horrific terrorist attack on Israel, we remember all the innocent victims whose lives were cruelly taken and unimaginably changed on October 7, as well as expressing our deepest condolences again to the families who lost loved ones that dark day.'We must never forget this atrocity, nor the profound pain and distress it's caused Jewish communities around the world. For many Jewish Londoners, October 7 reawakened fears and trauma no-one should be forced to endure.'He also stressed his commitment to protecting London's Jewish community from abuse and violence.'Our Jewish friends, neighbours and colleagues must be free to live, work and worship without the threat of abuse, intimidation or violence. 'The fact that, in many places, Jewish communities are still subject to vile antisemitic hate shows how much further we have to go to eradicate this poison from our societies. People take part in a pro-Palestine protest outside the University of Glasgow Library today A police officer speaking to a counter-protester, as a group of students calling themselves the University of London Coalition take part in a pro -Palestine march from Kings College London in the Strand to University College London in Holborn'As Mayor, I'm committed to working with the police, partners and Jewish community organisations to confront antisemitism wherever it rears its ugly head. 'We can never allow conflict overseas to divide us at home. There is never any excuse for harassment, intimidation or attacks against our Jewish communities – and, as Londoners, we must continue to show allyship with our Jewish friends and neighbours by coming together and speaking out not just against these abhorrent crimes, but the insidious attitudes that drive them.'But Mr Khan then devoted part of his statement to the Palestinian death toll and criticism of Israel.'Today is also a moment to reflect on the unfathomable suffering and killing of Palestinians over the last three years, both in Gaza and in the West Bank,' Mr Khan wrote.'The UK government is right to call out the reprehensible actions of the Israeli government and apply more pressure to keep the prospect of a two-state solution alive.'This is critical not only for upholding Palestinian human rights but for ending the cycle of terror, killing and bloodshed that has engulfed the region for decades and destroyed countless lives, Israeli and Palestinian alike.'Today – more than ever – I pray that Israelis and Palestinians can one day live side-by-side in two states and in peace, with dignity, security and prosperity for both peoples.'His comments were swiftly criticised by Jewish and pro-Israel campaigners.Alex Hear, Chair of Labour Against Antisemitism, said: 'A mayor who represents all Londoners should understand that on this day, above all, the Jewish community needed to be heard and comforted, not told where its grief fits among other priorities.'Gavin Stollar OBE, chair of Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel, added: 'Today the world remembers the 1,200 men, women and children murdered by Hamas terrorists, and the hundreds more injured and those taken hostage and tortured.'There are 364 other days for the Mayor to opine on what has happened since - not today.' Pro-Israel counter-protesters react as pro-Palestine demonstrators march in London A group of students calling themselves the University of London Coalition take part in a pro -Palestine march from Kings College London in the Strand to University College London in HolbornA spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: 'If the Mayor of London can't bring himself to remember the over one thousand victims of the 7th October atrocity without criticising the Israeli government, and cannot talk about antisemitism in his city without referring to Gaza, then he may as well not say anything at all.'His statement is worse than nothing. Our representative polling shows that 85% of British Jews are dissatisfied with London Mayor's performance in relation to the Jewish community since 7th October 2023. This statement will do nothing to improve that standing.'The row comes amid heightened tensions in London on the anniversary itself.The Metropolitan Police imposed strict conditions on a pro-Palestinian student demonstration in central London, saying the march was taking place on a day of mourning and reflection for many Londoners and that Jewish communities had serious concerns about the event.Police later said five people had been arrested for inciting racial hatred following a spontaneous protest outside the Board of Deputies of British Jews, involving alleged chanting or slogans calling for an intifada. The anniversary has also seen Jewish organisations gather to remember those killed and taken hostage, with a central London vigil planned by the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council.Lettice.bromovsky@dailymail.co.uk