'Every UK Jewish family affected by Israel attack'

October 09, 2023

There is hardly a Jewish family in the UK which is not affected in one way or another by what has happened in Israel, the chief rabbi has said.

Sir Ephraim Mirvis told BBC News it was a "time of mourning, of deep grief, and of enormous worry" for the community.

He also warned that "all steps need to be taken in order to guarantee safety".

More than 700 people have been killed in Israel since Hamas launched its attacks on Saturday morning, including 260 at a music festival.

Israel says more than 100 Israelis have also been kidnapped - it is thought most have been taken into Gaza. It has responded by declaring war on the militant group and bombarding Gaza, killing nearly 500 Palestinians.

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Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Rabbi Ephraim called it "a traumatic and horrific time", saying there were "many, many people showing their full solidarity with our Jewish community and people in Israel".

"And you know, when we make calls now to other Jewish people in the UK, the first question everybody is asking is: 'How are you? How is your family? Is everybody alright?' Because there is hardly a Jewish family in the UK not affected in one way or another by what has happened."

He continued: "It is important for people to recognise the extent of what is happening, the scale.

"Antisemitism is a feature of life right around the globe, and we have just witnessed one of the most awful terrorist outrages in living memory, ever since the conclusion of World War Two.

"And we are of course worried, and all steps need to be taken in order to guarantee safety."

In north London, a school attended by the first confirmed British victim of the violence is "devastated", its headteacher has said.

Nathanel Young, 20, died on the Gaza border on Saturday while serving with the Israel Defense Forces.

He went to the same school - North London's JFS Jewish School - as 26-year-old Jake Marlowe, one of two British citizens believed to be missing in Israel following the attacks.

Mr Marlowe was reported missing while providing security at the music festival near Kibbutz Re'im, close to the Gaza border. The other British citizen is photographer Dan Darlington.

JFS headteacher Dr David Moody said: "We are heartbroken at what has happened.

"Nathanel is fondly remembered within the school and we think of him with nothing but love. Equally, we have seen reports that Jake Marlowe is missing and we all pray that he is found soon."

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'Every UK Jewish family affected by Israel attack'

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