A new counter-extremism “strategy” was announced on Thursday in the House of Commons by Communities Secretary Michael Gove. “The time has come for us all to stand together to combat the forces of division”, he stated.
The measures include “a new fund to provide additional, direct and tangible support for grassroots organisations” and “a new counter-extremism centre of excellence… as a world-leading authority on best practice, data and research” amid the “terrible increase in antisemitic and anti-Muslim hate crime”.
“We will shortly establish a new fund to provide additional, direct and tangible support for grassroots organisations, building bridges and fighting division”.
“A set of cross-Government engagement principles” were also introduced, alongside a renewed “precise and rigorous” definition of extremism aimed at ending the ability of extremist groups to “co-opt charities and benefit from public funding”, or engagement with the Crown Prosecution Service and the Metropolitan Police. Extremist groups undermine “democracy and values of inclusivity and tolerance”, Gove said.
The Muslim Association of Britain, which is the UK-based “associate” of the Muslim Brotherhood – Hamas’ ideological parent organisation, will be assessed against the renewed definition of extremism announced on Thursday by Communities Secretary Michael Gove. The assessment will also account for several neo-Nazi groups, such as the British National Socialist Movement and Patriotic Alternative, added Gove.
“Freedom of expression, freedom of religion and belief, the rule of law, democracy and equal rights—these are the cornerstones of our civilised society that Government and Parliament, on both sides of the House, strive always to uphold”, stated the Communities Secretary.
He raised that, “the liberties that we hold dear, and indeed the democratic principles that we are all sent here to uphold, require us to counter and challenge the extremists who seek to intimidate, to coerce and to divide. We must be clear-eyed about the threat that we face, precise about where that threat comes from, and rigorous in defending our democracy. That means upholding freedom of expression, religion and belief when it is threatened, facing down harassment and hate, supporting the communities facing the greatest challenge from extremist activity, and ensuring that the House and the country are safe, free and united”.
CFI Parliamentary Officer Miriam Cates MP said the move was important “in terms of protecting our democracy and protecting us from violence and the kind of terrorist threats we have seen over recent weeks”.
“Individuals who have hateful views may be expelled by those organisations, or may go off and form other organisations that will not be on the banned list”, warned CFI Parliamentary Officer Bob Blackman CBE MP.
Alongside “millions of people in this country”, Tom Hunt MP said he was “utterly fed up with these protests that have been taking place in our nation’s capital”, because he has “Jewish friends who will not go into their own capital because they do not feel safe”.
Anna Firth MP noted that her constituents in Southend West will welcome the move, and have seen the “antisemitic slogan ‘From the river to the sea’ projected” onto Parliament (Big Ben). “If such slogans are not already against the law, they certainly should be”, she added, noting that the police “take insufficient action”.
Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron: No “two-state solution if the people responsible for 7 October are still running any part of Gaza”
Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron said in the House of Lords on Tuesday that “we will not have a two-state solution if the people responsible for 7 October are still running any part of Gaza. Obviously, what we would like to see is an immediate pause, the hostages released and a series of conditions put in place to make sure that the pause turns into a permanent ceasefire without a return to fighting”.
He continued, “one of those conditions would be that the people responsible for 7 October—the leadership of Hamas—would have to leave Gaza and the terrorist infrastructure would have to be dismantled. If that did not happen through a process of negotiation… there would be a return to fighting. That needs to be understood by people”.
Addressing the issue of humanitarian aid, CFI Honorary President Lord Polak CBE raised that “first, there is no backlog at all at the Kerem Shalom crossing from Israel; secondly, there is a backlog at Rafah—there are columns of trucks in sovereign Egypt after they have been inspected and cleared by the Israeli authorities; thirdly, as has just been said, there is also, sadly, a backlog on the Gazan side, where the UN agencies are struggling to distribute the aid at the pace that Israel is facilitating it through”.
Foreign Minister Andrew Mitchell to former hostages and families: “We grieve with you”
Foreign Office Minister Andrew Mitchell addressed a delegation featuring released hostage, Itay Regev, and the siblings of those still hostage in Gaza, saying “we grieve with you” and that the Government is “doing everything we can do get the hostages out… and will continue to do that”.
The event was organised by the Israel-UK All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) in coordination with CFI and chaired by CFI’s Parliamentary Chair (Commons) Rt. Hon. Stephen Crabb MP.
Over a dozen Conservative MPs and Peers attended the event.
Conservative MPs raise the Israel-Hamas War
In the House of Commons of Tuesday, Foreign Minister Andrew Mitchell said “the appalling events of 7 October were, as I have said in the House before, the worst atrocity and the worst killing of Jewish people since the holocaust and the second world war. We continue to want total accountability for the terrible events that took place on that day”.
He told the House of Commons that he met with the head of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, and “presented him with the evidence” of extremism in UNRWA textbooks, asking for “a full account”.
CFI Parliamentary Vice Chair Rt. Hon. Theresa Villiers MP quoted the UN mission to Israel which was tasked with investigating sexual violence committed by Hamas on 7 October, when it said that, “there are reasonable grounds to believe that conflict-related sexual violence occurred in multiple locations during the 7 October attacks”. She urged the Government to “redouble their efforts to get the hostages home”.
CFI Parliamentary Officer Nicola Richards added that “the UN published its first report into the violence against women in Israel on 7 October and against hostages. It concluded that rape, gang rape and genital mutilation were systematically used against Israeli women and girls. The fact that the victims who survived do not trust the UN enough to speak to it about their experience adds another layer of heartbreak to the situation”, urging the Government to call on the UN to tell the world that “#MeToo counts for Jews too”.
CFI Parliamentary Officers Bob Blackman CBE MP and Nicola Richards MP both raised the ongoing need to “secure the release” of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
Blackman added “the hostages have been in captivity for more than 100 days”, raising a New York Times report outlining that “of the 134 hostages still in captivity, 50 may have been killed”. Blackman raised the need for “a commitment to return the hostages before we can move to a humanitarian ceasefire”.
CFI Parliamentary Officer Miriam Cates MP raised “one of the most troubling aspects of the 7 October massacre – the third wave”, where “many ordinary Gazans—reports indicate hundreds, or even thousands—followed the Hamas terrorists into Israel and participated in the atrocities. Reports suggest that civilians kidnapped Israelis and sold them to Gaza-based terrorist groups, and committed further unspeakable acts of violence, including sexual violence”.
Former Attorney General Rt. Hon. Sir Michael Ellis KC MP called on the Government to confirm that “Israel is co-operating with an increasing number of lorries entering Gaza carrying essential humanitarian aid”. Clarifying the figures, Ellis raised that “16,405 aid lorries, 203,300 tonnes of food and 26,160 tonnes of water” is entering Israel, which has “no limit on the amount of aid that can come in”. In contrast, Ellis said that “there is a delay once it has passed Israeli checks and before it gets into Gaza proper”.
CFI Parliamentary Officer Greg Smith MP said “the fact that Hamas are surging in the polls”, the Palestinian Authority’s “hateful preaching in the school curriculum that is breeding the sort of hate that leads to evil organisations such as Hamas having a grip on Gaza”, and the payment of “salaries to convicted terrorists’ families”, are barriers to any future two state solution.
Peter Gibson MP said that “in order to see Palestinian self-determination, we need an end to human rights abuses, antisemitism and the glorification of violence, and we need Palestinians free from Hamas”.
Government working to ensure “Iran never develops a nuclear weapon”
On Iran’s nuclear enrichment, Foreign Minister David Rutley said on Tuesday that “we are working with partners to ensure that Iran never develops a nuclear weapon, are prepared to use all diplomatic options, including triggering UN snapback [sanctions] if necessary, and will continue to monitor the situation very closely”.
Michael Fabricant MP said that “the International Atomic Energy Agency has recently made an assessment that enough uranium has been enriched in Iran to produce three atomic warheads”.
The IDF continues with its commitment to ensure aid reaches civilians in Gaza by air, land, and sea
IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari told a group of foreign reporters “we are trying to flood the area, to flood it with humanitarian aid” on Wednesday, committing to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip by air, land, and sea.
Air
Morocco sent more than 40 tonnes of humanitarian supplies for Gaza via Ben Gurion Airport on Tuesday, further diversifying aid routes into Gaza. The aid was later transferred to the Palestinian Red Crescent at the Kerem Shalom Crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip, an Israeli official reportedly confirmed.
The IDF have noted that 12 foreign countries had also airdropped more than 1,000 aid packages into the Strip throughout the past week.
Land
Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) has confirmed that a convoy of six aid trucks from the World Food Programme (WFP) entered the northern Gaza Strip through the new military road “as part of an experimental pilot in order to prevent Hamas from taking over the aid” on Tuesday. The convoy carried enough food to feed 25,000 people.
The new pathway stretches from Egypt with convoys to travel north on Israel’s side of the border before crossing into Gaza. The crossing in the security fence is known as the 96th gate.
Israel has agreed to expand the number of trucks entering Gaza from Jordan via the Allenby Crossing into the West Bank, an Israeli official said.
Sea
The IDF announced on Tuesday it has made preparations for the arrival of humanitarian aid into the Gaza strip by sea. The United Arab Emirates have funded a vessel carrying humanitarian aid from the World Central Kitchen. The equipment was checked for security purposes, with Israeli officials accompanying it to ensure that aid alone reached the Gaza strip.
On Tuesday, a ship belonging to Spanish aid group Open Arms set sail from Cyprus carrying 200 tonnes of food aid for Gaza’s civilians. The ship will dock along the coast of northern Gaza at a landing jetty built by World Central Kitchen.
Also on Tuesday, four US Army vessels left he United States carrying equipment to build a temporary port on Gaza’s shoes for aid deliveries.
Hamas misappropriation of aid and the hijacking of aid trucks entering Gaza since 7th October is well documented with Israeli officials saying that up to 60% of humanitarian aid has been stolen by Hamas.
Rockets discovered under bed in Hamas’ operatives home, rocket launcher identified beside school
Soldiers discovered rockets under a bed in a Hamas operative’s home in Khan Younis, Gaza.
IDF troops in the LOTAR counter-terrorism unit also located a multiple rocket launcher adjacent to a school.
The IDF have released video footage of the rocket launcher and missiles nearby the school as further proof of Hamas operating from within civilian areas.
Separately, a terrorist squad attempted to launch a rocket from the centre of the Gaza Strip. The rocket from the attempted launch fell within the Strip. IDF troops detected and eliminated the squad.
South Africa issues threat of arrest against citizens fighting in IDF
South Africa’s Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor has vowed that citizens fighting in the IDF will be arrested upon returning to the country.
“I have already issued a statement alerting those who are in South Africa and who are fighting alongside or in the Israeli Defense Forces. We are ready. When you come home, we’re going to arrest you”, Pandor said at a conference on Sunday in Pretoria.
Pretoria has been growing closer to Iran and its proxy terror groups, including Hamas, since it led the brutal attack against Israel on 7th October.
South Africa’s officials have met with senior Hamas members and its Government lodged a controversial International Court of Justice (ICJ) case, alleging that Israel is committing genocide, in a move that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described as “completely unjustified and wrong”.
Amid reported fears of naturalised citizens being stripped of their South African nationality, and the arrest of Israelis in countries hostile to Israel’s war against Hamas, the IDF said that it is “working to provide a response to possible security and legal risk when soldiers travel abroad. The IDF is monitoring the issue on an ongoing basis, in coordination and cooperation with the relevant Government ministries”.
Hamas commander killed in UNRWA facility strike
The IDF struck an UNRWA facility on Wednesday while targeting and killing Hamas commander, Muhammad Abu Hasna.
Abu Hasna was involved in “integrating extensive activity of the various Hamas units, was in contact with the field operatives of Hamas and directed them”, the IDF and Shin Bet said in a joint statement.
The statement also said Abu Hasna had seized humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip to distribute to Hamas operatives, and was tasked with a Hamas intelligence war room that collected information on IDF movements in the Strip.
The UN’s investigation into the allegations of UNRWA staff members having affiliations with terror groups remain ongoing. Israel has provided the agency with information on the allegations of involvement on 7 October which have expanded to include 14 staff members.
Hamas operative planning global terror attacks killed in drone strike
A Hamas operative central in planning terror attacks on Israelis and Jews worldwide has been killed by an Israeli drone strike on Wednesday.
“Hadi [Mustafa] was involved in directing terror squads and in terror activities on the ground, including advancing attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets in various countries throughout the world”, the IDF said in a statement.
Occurring near the Lebanese city of Tyre, the attack hit a vehicle killing Mustafa. It followed large barrages of Hezbollah rockets fired into Israel, with over 100 Katyusha rockets being launched on Tuesday alone. The Iron Dome intercepted the Hezbollah rockets and there were no reports of damage or injuries.
Over 2000 rockets that have been reportedly launched by the terror group into Israel since 7th October. Israel’s officials have said diplomatic efforts to end the attacks and push the terror group away from Israel’s border are ongoing.
Iran, Russia, and China join in naval drill
Iran, Russia, and China have participated in a major joint naval drill this week, in the latest sign of growing cooperation between the countries.
“The joint drills are conducive to enhancing exchanges and cooperation among the Chinese, Iranian, and Russian navies”, said People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy official Liang Dong. Observers from Azerbaijan, India, Kazakhstan, Oman, Pakistan, and South Africa also attended the drills.
China’s Global Times reported that the nation’s naval forces “launched an exercise near the Gulf of Oman”. Further reports outline the live-fire drills’ three phases, “the harbour phase, the sea phase, and the summarising phase” off the port of Chabahar, where Iran has previously launched drones to attack ships in the past.
