In the House of Commons today, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that South Africa’s referral of Israel to the ICJ is “unhelpful”. “We don’t agree with it and I don’t believe it is right”, he stated before adding that, “Israel does have a right to take action in self-defence against Hamas”.
“We support a ceasefire – but that does mean a sustainable ceasefire that will last. And that means Hamas no longer in power in Gaza, no longer able to threaten Israel with rocket attacks and other forms of terrorism, and Hamas simply does not represent the Palestinian people’s legitimate aspirations”, the Prime Minister stated.
CFI Parliamentary Chair (Commons) Rt. Hon. Stephen Crabb MP warned of Iran “once again ramping up its uranium enrichment activities to near weapons grade”, according to the IAEA. He urged the Government to consider triggering the “snapback” provisions of the JCPOA.
CFI Parliamentary Vice Chair Andrew Percy MP said that people “have given a free pass” to “one side [Hamas] whilst not acknowledging the horrors that the other side suffer”. One thing that “links” Iran’s terror proxies is their “genocidal intent toward Jews and their hatred of everything we stand for in the Western democracies which is why it is incumbent upon us to defend those values”. He urged the Prime Minister to make sure the police “take action” against those who “openly support terrorism”.
The Rt. Hon. Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP said that Iran has “supported, supplied and continues to direct” the Houthis, Hamas and Hezbollah on a “regular basis” through the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) – calling for proscription. He highlighted Iranian banks “in the City of London feeding their money across to these terror organisations”.
“Is it not clear that Iran will do anything to stop lasting peace between Arab states and Israel, because the Iranian regime believes that Israel should not exist at all”, asked Rt. Hon. Liam Fox MP, also cautioning against Tehran’s support for “Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis”, which threatens the UK’s “interests” and “values” – calling for the “supercharging” of the Abraham Accords.
Former Attorney General Rt. Hon. Sir Michael Ellis KC MP, Rt. Hon. Sir Julian Lewis MP, Rt. Hon. Alec Shelbrooke MP, Rt. Hon. Tobias Ellwood MP and Harriett Baldwin MP also made significant positive contributions – warning against the malign influence of Iran and it’s terror proxies.
Government proscribes terror group Hizb ut-Tahrir
Hizb ut-Tahrir has been proscribed as a terrorist group, Home Secretary James Cleverly announced today. The group has recently gained attention for calling on “Muslim armies”, waving ISIS-like flags and chanting “jihad, jihad” during pro-Palestine protests in British cities.
Home Secretary James Cleverly said that: “Hizb ut-Tahrir is an antisemitic organisation that actively promotes and encourages terrorism, including praising and celebrating the appalling 7 October attacks”.
Pro-Palestinian protests raised in House of Commons
In Home Office Questions today, Home Secretary James Cleverly said that “the unprecedented and unwarranted pressure” that repeated pro-Palestinian demonstrations are placing on police forces is “having an impact on communities”. The organisers have “made their point” and some “deeply distasteful people” can be seen “weaving themselves in amongst those protestors”.
Home Office Minister Tom Tugendhat said that an “extraordinary report” on extremism raised failures to “train properly” at universities across the country, citing difficulties in defining “what a terrorist is”. He said “this Government knows what a terrorist is and that’s exactly why we’ve just proscribed Hizb ut Tahrir”.
He also said that the Government has granted £18 million to the Community Security Trust (CST) and £7 million to academic security, due to the “massive increase in antisemitism in universities” and “across our streets”. Tugendhat added that “we’ve seen people who claim to be speaking out for equality and justice actually defending people who take slaves, who violate women and girls’ rights”, especially effecting the Jewish community.
Jack Lopresti MP called on the Government to “advise police forces across the country to help them support communities during the conflict between Israel and Hamas”.
Rt. Hon. The Lord Pickles addresses 25,000 at London rally in support of Israel
CFI Parliamentary Chair (Lords) Rt. Hon. The Lord Pickles addressed 25,000 at a London rally in solidarity with Israel and the hostages kidnapped by Hamas, 100 days on from the 7 October massacre. “I stand before you a proud and unapologetic Zionist”, he stated, adding that “on the 7th October [he] knew that the world is wonderful at remembering long-dead Jews, but when the Jews have arms and seek to defend themselves it is indifferent”.
Speaking about the pro-Palestinian London protest, Lord Pickles said “the people marching yesterday [in the pro-Palestinian march], the majority are not antisemitic, but they are happy to walk alongside people who are”. Hamas is “against civilisation”, whilst Israel is “fighting for all of us.”
He joined speakers including Israeli Ambassador to the UK, H.E. Tzipi Hotovely, Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis, Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy, and families of hostages. A video message from Israeli President Isaac Herzog was also streamed.
Former Home Secretary Rt. Hon. Suella Braverman KC MP joined the event “to stand in solidarity” with the Jewish state.
Rt. Hon. The Lord Pickles repeated the sentiment this morning on LBC, calling for Hamas to release the hostages in conversation with Nick Ferrari.
Woman killed, 18 wounded in Ra’nana terror attack
A woman in her 70s was killed and 18 others injured in a terrorist stabbing and ramming attack in Ra’anana, central Israel, today, after two men who worked illegally in the cities industrial zone carried out a multipronged attack in several locations.
Ahmed Zidat, 25, and Mahmoud Zidad, 44, from the West Bank town of Bani Naim, Hebron, had been blacklisted for intruding into the country in the past.
Just as children were being dismissed from school, the assailant stabbed a driver on Haharoshet Street and stole their car, before hijacking another to continue the attack. A man aged 34 and a 16-year-old boy have been left in a serious condition.
Two civilians killed in Hezbollah rocket attack
Two were killed yesterday by Hezbollah rocket fire in northern Israel in the first attack to claim civilian lives since November 2023. 2,000 rockets or anti-tank missiles have been fired into Israel from Lebanon, with another 30 or so fired from Syria.
Barak Ayalon, 45 was killed in his home when an anti-tank missile struck the northern town of Kfar Yuval. His mother, Miri Ayalon, 76, was declared dead a short time after being rushed to hospital. Barak’s father, 76, is being treated for acute anxiety.
Hezbollah also targeted Shomera, Maraliot, Zar’it, Misgav Am and Goren and have taken to sniper fire against what they have called “spy equipment” in Metula.
Airstrikes have been carried out against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon in response. Terror infrastructure and military targets including a command centre were struck by IDF airstrikes in response.
On Sunday morning, three Hezbollah terrorists were killed after a firefight with the IDF, following their incursion into the Mount Dov region.
Tens of thousands have been evacuated from northern Israel since October 7th, when Hamas launched its massacre against the Jewish state.
Six pro-Palestinian activists arrested in London Stock Exchange plot
Six pro-Palestinian activists have been arrested after the Palestine Action group planned to allegedly target and disrupt the London Stock Exchange on Monday morning, which could have costed millions or billions in financial losses. Three were arrested in Liverpool, London and Brighton.
Hamas releases new propaganda hostage video
Hamas released a propaganda video on Sunday, showing three clips of Noa Argamani, 26, Yossi Sharabi, 53, and Itay Svirsky, 38, identifying themselves and asking the Israel’s Government to bring them home.
The 37-second clip quizzed viewers on their fate in a show of psychological warfare, and ended after informing the public that the hostages’ fate will be announced tomorrow. The terror group’s spokesperson Abu Obeida said that “the enemy’s leadership and army bear full responsibility” for the harm that comes to the hostages.
Hamas released a video of two bodies this evening.
Around 240 people were taken hostage by Hamas in the October 7th massacre. Israel reports that 132 remain in Gaza, including those deceased.
Operational updates
Hamas explosives were found in a child’s room in Khan Younis, Gaza, the IDF reported as they operated in the city.
9,000 Hamas terrorists have been killed in the war so far, according to new IDF statistics. Two of Hamas’ five brigade-level commanders have also been killed.
The Shin Bet has today revealed Iranian attempts to gather intelligence on Israel by targeting the families of hostages. Fake surveys, volunteer forms, fake job postings and messages of grief have been deployed in a campaign of disinformation and phishing to collect personal information.
Hamas has taken significant measures to evacuate its leaders based in Lebanon, Israeli media reported on Sunday. Following the death of Hamas deputy leader Saleh al-Arouri, who was killed in a strike, Hamas officials including senior leader Ghazi Hamad have fled to Qatar, Turkey and Syria.
