Communal organisations in the UK are planning a protest outside the Palestinian mission following the recent violence in Israel.
The Board of Deputies, Zionist Federation, Sussex Friends of Israel, We Believe In Israel and Israel Advocacy Movement are organising a vigil to commemorate the victims, where they will also call on the Palestinian Authority to condemn attacks on Israelis.
Members of the community have been invited to the demonstration, entitled “#IsraeliLivesMatter - Protest Palestinian Violence and Incitement,” on Tuesday outside the mission in west London.
Former Palestinian Authority president Ismail Haniyeh, who currently leads Hamas, said on Friday that the recent spate of attacks was an “intifada,” and promised: “Gaza will fulfil its role in the Jerusalem intifada and it is more than ready for confrontation.”
Board of Deputies president Jonathan Arkush said his organisation “utterly condemns the sharp surge in violence perpetrated by Palestinians towards Israeli citizens in the past week.
“The failure of the Palestinian Authority to condemn these acts of murder is nothing short of disgraceful. The Israeli government must be allowed to take the action it needs to protect Israeli citizens. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of these horrific crimes.”
Arieh Miller, director of the Zionist Federation, called for the Jewish community to take a stand.
In a statement, Mr Miller said: “Now is the time to show solidarity with ordinary Israelis, who are facing a seemingly endless barrage of attacks while they try and go about their everyday lives.
“But solidarity isn’t enough – we need to publicly hold the Palestinian Authority to account for allowing and encouraging these attacks. That’s why we’re holding a protest directly outside the Palestinian Mission, their diplomatic representatives here in the UK.
“It’s time to say enough is enough: end the violence and incitement.”
Another vigil is also planned outside the Israeli embassy in west London on Sunday.
Grassroots groups Campaign For Truth, Alliance for Israelis in Great Britain, Eye On Antisemitism and charity Yad B’Yad UK will hold the candlelit gathering to honour the recent victims of terror in Israel.
