{"id":333029,"date":"2025-08-10T11:43:17","date_gmt":"2025-08-10T11:43:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/333029\/"},"modified":"2025-08-10T11:43:17","modified_gmt":"2025-08-10T11:43:17","slug":"family-of-kidnapped-israeli-hostages-to-join-march-on-downing-street-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/333029\/","title":{"rendered":"Family of kidnapped Israeli hostages to join march on Downing Street"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Sunday afternoon there will be a \u2018national march for the hostages\u2019 in central London organised by Stop the Hate UK and a number of Jewish organisations.<\/p>\n

It comes after Sir Keir Starmer pledged to recognise a Palestinian state in September unless the Israeli government meets a series of conditions towards ending the conflict in Gaza.<\/p>\n

Stop the Hate said that protesters will urge the Prime Minister to prioritise the release of 50 remaining Israeli hostages, with 20 of them thought to be alive, before any recognition of a Palestinian state.<\/p>\n

Among those due to attend is Noga Guttman, the cousin of 24-year-old Evyatar David, who was kidnapped.<\/p>\n

Hamas released a video last weekend which showed Mr David looking skeletal and hollow-eyed in a dimly lit Gaza tunnel.<\/p>\n

\n

The ENTIRE Jewish community \u2014 alongside our allies across the UK \u2014 is uniting for a historic march.We are coming together, regardless of our differences, for one purpose:<\/p>\n

To stand for the hostages. \ud83c\udf97\ufe0f<\/p>\n

Join us as we march from Lincoln\u2019s Inn Fields to Downing Street, demanding\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/tvL2DuFj4X<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 We Believe in Israel (@WeBelieveIsrael) August 8, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Marchers will include the relatives of Avinatan Or, who was kidnapped from the Nova music festival with his girlfriend Noa Argamani.<\/p>\n

Mr Or\u2019s cousin Ariel Felber, from London, said: \u201cKeir Starmer has failed the hostages and their families by not making it a condition that all the remaining hostages are brought home to their loved ones before he can even entertain talk of state recognition of Palestine.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe urgently needs to correct this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Steve Brisley from Bridgend, Wales, whose sister and nieces were murdered on October 7 and his brother-in-law Eli taken hostage, said: \u201cAs British families of hostages and victims, devastated by the ongoing suffering of our loved ones, our emotional torture has been exacerbated by the suggestion that the UK may recognise a Palestinian state without securing the release of the hostages as an absolute precondition.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is not about politics. This is about basic humanity.\u201d<\/p>\n

Also joining the protesters will be Ayelet Svatitzky, whose brothers Roi and Nadav Popplewell were murdered, and Adam Ma\u2019anit, whose cousin Tsachi Idan saw his eldest daughter\u2019s murder before he himself was later confirmed dead.<\/p>\n

Demonstrators will gather in Holborn from 2pm before marching to Downing Street, where speeches will take place.<\/p>\n

A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism, one of the groups attending, said: \u201cThe situation for the hostages is absolutely desperate.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople from right across the Jewish community, from every denomination are uniting with us to say that the UK must focus all of its diplomatic pressure on securing the return of the hostages.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"DavidForeign Secretary David Lammy has condemned Israeli plans to take over Gaza City (PA)<\/p>\n

It comes after Foreign Secretary David Lammy joined his counterparts from Australia, Italy, Germany and New Zealand to condemn Israeli plans to take over Gaza City.<\/p>\n

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu\u2019s office said on Friday that Israel would seek \u201cthe demilitarisation of the Gaza Strip\u201d, as well as \u201cIsraeli security control in the Gaza Strip\u201d and \u201cthe establishment of an alternative civil administration that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority\u201d.<\/p>\n

In their joint statement, the foreign ministers said the plans \u201crisk violating international law\u201d and \u201cany attempts at annexation or of settlement extension violate international law\u201d.<\/p>\n

Sir Keir described Israel\u2019s plans as \u201cwrong\u201d and called for \u201ca ceasefire, a surge in humanitarian aid, the release of all hostages by Hamas and a negotiated solution\u201d.<\/p>\n

He said the UK will recognise a Palestinian state in September unless Israel agrees to meet certain conditions, including addressing the humanitarian crisis, implementing a ceasefire and reviving the prospect of a two-state solution.<\/p>\n

But he insisted the move was not a propaganda boost to Hamas, saying the \u201cterrorist organisation\u201d could play \u201cno part in any future government\u201d.<\/p>\n