“He would rather do that peacefully with the deal, but as he has said publicly, if they don’t do it that way, there is another way we can do it,” he added, hinting at potential military action.
Describing the current geopolitical situation as “extremely scary,” Murray warned of the dangers of a nuclear-armed Iran.
“The worst possible option for the world is a nuclear-armed regime in Tehran – so it's not going to happen – and, if the Americans need to stop that from happening, fine. If the Iranians can stop themselves, then fine. I am confident.”
JC editor Daniel Schwammenthal and Douglas Murray on stage (Darryl Vides Photography)[Missing Credit]
He argued that the US administration must prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons at any point in time. “You never know [which president is going to be elected] next, maybe somebody who is a bit more squishy on the issue.”
Murray said that Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu share a “very good and very strong” relationship, particularly over Iran.
Elsewhere in the talk, Murray condemned the notion of a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, calling it “magical thinking” and the result of “unbelievable ignorance.”
Western leaders who continue to push for a two-state resolution, he argued, “must know” that “there is no two-state solution on the table any more.
“Hamas destroyed that on October 7 2023 because the Palestinians were given a de facto state in 2005... They had 18 years, and what did they do with it? Rockets, rockets, war, war, stealing of vast amounts of wealth, and then October 7.”
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He added: “The two state solution is a dead dream, and it is not me that has killed it,” arguing that recognition of Palestinian statehood by Western governments was both unwise and dangerous.
He accused Western leaders – including France’s President Macron – of “kindling” Palestinian hopes of destroying Israel by suggesting Palestinian state recognition and thereby obstructing any genuine path to peace.
“Most conflicts did not end up historically around the negotiation table,” he said. “Israel’s enemies must lose their dreams of destroying the Jewish state. If you drop the dream of annihilating Israel, you can have peace.”
During the Q&A, audience members asked Murray about the state of rising antisemitism in the UK, what policies could counter it, and how concerned the Jewish community should be.
The crowd at Western Marble Arch Synagogue (Darryl Vides Photography)[Missing Credit]
“At least the Jewish people have Israel. I don’t have an Israel, although my Israeli friends assure me that I do,” he said, suggesting that Israel’s role as a haven for Jews under threat is essential.
“I’ve become more optimistic,” he added, explaining that his time spent in Israel has shaped that view. He described his warm welcome in the Jewish State, how he now knows the Shabbat rules for several Israeli hotels, and how moved he is by the “goodness and bravery” of the IDF.
Murray urged British Jews to be more vocal and self-assured. “I don’t know why British Jews won’t speak out for themselves more. I am surprised the Jewish community in this country doesn’t take its own side more.”
Rabbi Daniel Epstein presented Douglas Murray with a Haggadah sponsored by his late friend Stanley Kalms (Darryl Vides Photography)[Missing Credit]
He criticised “communal leadership” for failing to lead that charge, though it was unclear who exactly he meant.
“You’re British, you’re Jewish – be proud,” Murray implored the audience, adding, “British Jews can be strong in small numbers.”
Douglas Murray's book is available to buy here.
