Christians stood alongside Jews at commemorations held across the country on Sunday, marking two years since the October 7th atrocities.
CUFI members joined the gatherings in London, Manchester and Edinburgh. Meanwhile, CUFI supporters will gather in Leeds city centre this Sunday.
Speaking outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, CUFI’s UK Executive Director, Des Starritt, said, “We are at an historic moment in the UK. The Jewish people are experiencing their darkest hour since the Holocaust and they need to know they have our support. We all need to make a greater stand for Israel and the Jewish Community and stand against antisemitism.”
“Despite the barbaric acts carried out by Hamas on 7th October the media and some protesters on the streets of London and around this nation seem willing to excuse Hamas and instead blame the Jews. This is Antisemitism, or Jew Hatred.
It is one of the oldest evils and we all need to stand up and speak out whenever it raises its ugly head. If you haven’t yet realised it – That time is now.”
“We know that the holocaust started with words but those words led to actions and those actions resulted in the slaughter of six million Jews. When people shout “From the River to the Sea” it may be justified by some as just freedom of speech but those words promote both fear and hatred. Fear in the Jewish Community. Hatred in those who utter them. Life and death is in the power of the tongue. We Choose Life.
Stressing the importance of these commemorations, Des explained, “I am here today at this event because it’s important to show the unity between Christians and Jews but it doesn’t stop here with just a few nice words. We all have more work to do.”
Turning attention to politicians, Des added, “To the politicians here, I charge you to do more to support our Jewish communities and to stop appeasing their enemies. It’s all very good providing more funding for extra security (which is sadly needed) but that doesn’t solve the underlying problem.”
This underlying problem was evidenced in Manchester last week, when an Islamist terrorist attacked the Heaton Park Hebrew Synagogue on Yom Kippur, the holiest site. That is why it was also symbolic for CUFI supporters to stand alongside the Jewish community in Manchester, marking the anniversary of October 7th, but also recognising the hurt and loss that the Jewish community there is facing.
Speaking outside the Heaton Park Synagogue on Sunday, CUFI’s Alastair Kirk said, “We are here to show our support for the Jewish community. We represent tens of thousands of Christians across the United Kingdom, and our message to the Jewish community is very clear: ‘You are not alone’ and we will fight antisemitism with every ounce of our being.”
Referring to the October 7th commemorations in Manchester and elsewhere, Alastair said, “After the October 7th attacks two years ago, antisemites gathered here in central Manchester and central London to celebrate those attacks. A similar thing happened following the attack here at this synagogue in Manchester. Why? Because antisemitism is evil; it is sin; and it must be called out, it must be identified, exposed and condemned.”
“As Christians we have a moral duty, a Biblical commission, and we should have a sincere love for the Jewish people. Let us not remain silent for Zion’s sake.”
