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Meet Keir Starmer's Jewish wife, bringing Shabbat to No. 10 Downing Street

From regularly observing Shabbat to maintaining strong connections with the Jewish community, Victoria's influence extends beyond the domestic sphere.

Victoria Starmer, a Jewish woman with a rich cultural heritage and deep-rooted traditions, is poised to become the UK's first lady.

Intertwined with her Jewish upbringing, her life story plays a significant role in shaping the values and practices of her family.

From regularly observing Shabbat to maintaining strong connections with the Jewish community, Victoria's influence extends beyond the domestic sphere into her husband, Labour leader Keir Starmer's political career.

As Keir stands on the brink of becoming the next prime minister, Victoria's steadfast commitment to her faith and cultural traditions, as well as her involvement in combating antisemitism, emphasizes the unique role she will play as the new first lady of the UK.

Victoria Starmer, originally Victoria Alexander, was born in 1963 in North London.

Her father was of Polish-Jewish descent, and her mother, a community doctor, converted to Judaism upon marriage.

Growing up, Victoria was immersed in Jewish traditions and cultural practices, which played a significant role in shaping her values and outlook on life.

According to The Jewish Chronicle, “Victoria’s father is Jewish – they came from Poland – and her mother converted when they got married."

Family and Jewish practices

In the Starmer household, Jewish traditions are actively observed and cherished. Despite Keir being an atheist, the family regularly observes Shabbat, marking the weekly day of rest with family gatherings and traditional rituals.

In an interview with The Jewish Chronicle, Keir mentioned, "Every week there’s a challah, and we say kiddush," highlighting the importance of these rituals in their family life.

Their children are raised with a strong awareness of their Jewish identity, participating in various Jewish customs and celebrations.

Keir has emphasized the importance of these traditions in their home, ensuring that their children understand and appreciate their cultural and religious heritage.

The family belongs to the Liberal Jewish Synagogue in St. John's Wood, London, reflecting their active participation in the Jewish community.

According to the Jewish Chronicle, Keir stated, “My wife in particular wants our children to know the faith of her family."

The Liberal Jewish Synagogue is part of the Liberal Jewish movement, a progressive strand of Judaism similar to Reform Judaism in the US.

It focuses on modern interpretations of Jewish traditions and inclusivity, providing a welcoming environment for Jews of all backgrounds and levels of observance.

This inclusive approach aligns well with the Starmers' values, fostering a sense of belonging and community.

Public life and Jewish identity

Victoria's Jewish heritage is a significant, though understated, aspect of her public persona.

She actively participates in Jewish community activities, giving her family unique cultural richness.

By maintaining strong ties to their Jewish roots, the Starmers ensure that their children grow up with a deep understanding of their heritage.

Despite her husband's high-profile political position, Victoria prefers to stay out of the political spotlight, focusing on her professional responsibilities and family life.

The fact that the incoming prime minister's wife is an engaged Jew is particularly relevant given the Labour Party's recent history with accusations of antisemitism.

Keir has made it clear that his commitment to tackling antisemitism in the Labour Party is a matter of principle and values, reinforced by the cultural and religious practices observed in their home.

He reiterated this commitment in a speech to Labour Friends of Israel, emphasizing that "anti-Zionist antisemitism is the antithesis of the Labour tradition."

Connection to Israel

Victoria's connection to Judaism inherently links her to Israel. She has family living in Israel, and Keir has expressed deep concern for their safety amid the October 7 massacre.

His stance on Israel is supportive, emphasizing the right of Israel to defend itself while advocating for peace and a two-state solution. Keir stated during a Labour conference, “I utterly condemn the senseless murder of men, women, and children, including British citizens, in cold blood by the terrorists of Hamas."

In an interview with LBC, he also expressed “deep concern” for his extended family in Israel and highlighted the “incredible anxiety” they were experiencing.

Keir added, “We stand by our Jewish communities here, and we stand by Israel internationally." He also noted that antisemitic attacks in the UK have trebled since the conflict began, stating, “[Antisemitic] attacks are not a one-off."

Keir Starmer emphasized Israel's right to defend itself and the need to adhere to international law, stating, "Everything must be done within international law."

He criticized the BBC for their refusal to label Hamas as terrorists, asserting that terrorism is “obviously what we are witnessing."

Discussing long-term solutions to the conflict, Starmer highlighted the importance of peace proposals and a two-state solution, stating, “We do need to get back to peace proposals and a two-state solution,” and added, “What Hamas has done has pushed that further away, and deliberately."

Antisemitism in the Labour Party

Over the past decade, the Labour Party has faced significant criticism and controversy over allegations of antisemitism.

Under Jeremy Corbyn's leadership, numerous incidents and complaints of antisemitic behavior and rhetoric within the party were reported.

This led to investigations and widespread condemnation from Jewish communities and beyond. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) published a report in 2020 detailing the party's failure to adequately address these issues, highlighting a "breakdown of trust" between the Labour Party and the Jewish community.

Upon becoming the leader of the Labour Party, Keir Starmer made a public commitment to "root out antisemitism" and restore trust, stating that there would be "zero tolerance" for such behavior within the party.

Labour's recent election success

Keir Starmer's Labour Party is poised to end the Conservative Party's 14-year rule in the UK, with Labour expected to secure a significant majority in parliament.

An exit poll suggests Labour will win 410 of the 650 seats, highlighting widespread voter dissatisfaction with the Conservatives over the cost of living crisis and political instability. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak conceded defeat, acknowledging the party's poor performance.

Nigel Farage's Reform UK party, advocating right-wing populism, also made notable gains.

Despite Labour's victory, Starmer faces numerous challenges, including economic issues, strained public services, and Brexit-related concerns.

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Citizen's arrest: Thousands of US protesters demand Israel's Netanyahu be locked up

Netanyahu is in Washington DC to address US Congress but his visit has been marred by protesters demanding his arrest

Protestors burn a photo of Benjamin Netanyahu outside of Union Station on 24 July 2024 in Washington DC

Protestors burn a photo of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outside Union Station in Washington DC, on 24 July 2024 (Michael McCoy/AFP)

By Umar A Farooq and Azad Essa in Washington

Published date: 24 July 2024 16:37 BST

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced a depleted House when he addressed a joint seating of the US Congress on Wednesday, after dozens of lawmakers opted to either boycott or skip his speech.

Reasons given for not being present for Netanyahu's address range from opposition to his far-right government to opposing his approach to the war on Gaza to having scheduling conflicts.

Outside the US Capitol building and across downtown Washington DC, thousands of pro-Palestinian and anti-war activists from all over the country were on the streets to show their ire against the Israeli war on Gaza, with their centre of attention being Netanyahu, who they accuse of leading a genocide on Palestinians in Gaza.

The goal of the protesters: arrest Netanyahu for alleged war crimes and genocide committed by Israeli forces in Gaza.

The International Criminal Court is currently deliberating over whether to issue an arrest warrant for Netanyahu, and the protesters in Washington issued a symbolic notice of a "citizen's arrest".

As for those in Congress attending the address, the protesters say they are complicit in Israeli war crimes against Palestinians in Gaza.

"Netanyahu and the members of Congress he will be addressing are partners in crime," Hatem Abu Dayyeh, national coordinator for the US Palestinian Community Network, said in a statement shared with Middle East Eye.

"We are gathering to express our outrage not only with Netanyahu but also with the US political elite who are indispensable to Israel's ability to massacre Palestinians."

Loan Tran, an activist with the group Rising Majority, said they want to make it clear that the government "has to stop enabling this genocide". Tran added that he's confounded that Netanyahu is allowed to address Congress despite such severe opposition to him in the US.

"It’s been really mind-boggling that over the last nine months as students and everyday concerned citizens of the US have taken actions such as these, that folks have been arrested…when the International Court of Justice ruled and said the real criminal, the war criminal, is Benjamin Netanyahu.”

protester dc congress benjamin netanyahu

Loan Tran, an activist with Rising Majority, at the protests on Capitol Hill that called for a 'citizen's arrest' of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on 24 July 2024 (Azad Essa/MEE)

The latest mass pro-Palestinian protest in Washington comes nearly ten months into the war, which began in October 2023 after the Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel.

Since then, Israeli forces have killed more than 39,000 Palestinians in Gaza, decimated the enclave's civilian infrastructure and killed hundreds of journalists, medical workers, and UN staff members.

Blocking Netanyahu's motorcade

While the main protest was taking place right outside the US Capitol, several different contingents of activists dispersed throughout the surrounding areas to try and anticipate which route Netanyahu's motorcade would take to drive from the Watergate Hotel where the Israeli prime minister was staying to Congress for his address.

After trying one location on 14th Street and Independence Avenue, dozens of protesters shifted towards 7th Street, where their attempt to block the road was met with a quick response from police who shoved them onto the sidewalk. The protesters took it as a sign that they were at the right spot to block Netanyahu's arrival to Congress.

'Netanyahu should be in handcuffs, not in the halls of Congress ... If they won’t block him, then we will'

- Loan Tran, Rising Majority

“It is unconscionable that the US government is platforming an internationally recognised war criminal responsible for the mass murder of Palestinians over the last nine months, including over 40 members of my family," said Reem Assil, a member of the Arab Resource & Organizing Center.

"As attention turns away from the genocide, it has only gotten worse. I am participating in these actions because I must do everything I can to ensure that those in power who are complacent with this visit are held to account,” Assil added.

The protesters said they were able to successfully reroute the prime minister's motorcade away from the roads they blocked, and while Netanyahu reached Congress, the activists felt the Israeli leader got the message that he was not welcome in the city.

“Netanyahu should be in handcuffs, not in the halls of Congress," said Tran. "If they won’t block him, then we will."

The police presence and security throughout downtown Washington was heavy, with checkpoints dispersed across different points of entry to the main protesting area. After several hours, the crowds in front of the US Capitol began to surge, and police began launching pepper spray to disperse them. US Capitol Police accused the protesters of being "violent" and of failing "to obey our order to move back from our police line", a charge demonstrators deny.

Meanwhile inside the House Gallery, as Netanyahu began his address, several attendees stood up and revealed T-shirts displaying the message: "Seal the Deal Now", referring to ceasefire negotiations that have come to a standstill between Hamas and Israel over a possible end to the war in Gaza.

Those individuals were removed from the chamber and arrested, and Netanyahu went on to say that Israel will continue waging war on Gaza for as long as necessary.

'A dark stain on Congress'

Israel's war has been met with sparse words of opposition in the US Congress, which has voted to continue funding Israel's military and supplying them with weaponry to continue the war effort despite near-weekly reports of Israeli massacres of Palestinians.

Mass pro-Palestinian protests have taken place numerous times in Washington, DC, and other major US cities, with calls and demands for the end to US military aid to Israel and for the US to push Israel to accept an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

'July 24th will be remembered as a dark stain on the legacy of the 118th Congress'

  • Mohamad Habehh, American Muslims for Palestine

Despite what observers have said is the largest pro-Palestinian mobilisation to have occurred in US history over the past several months, the Biden administration has continued to shield Israel and Netanyahu from public scrutiny as well as diplomatic isolation.

While several countries have cut ties with Israel and others have recognised Palestinian statehood, the US has continued to provide a diplomatic shield to Israel, most recently by submitting an amicus brief to the ICC in opposition to a potential arrest warrant for Netanyahu.

Congress, for its part, extended an invitation to Netanyahu to address a joint session of the legislature, despite the Israeli leader openly criticising the US government for not doing enough to support Israel's war.

protests dc capitol hill netanyahu congress

Thousands of protesters gathered to protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to Congress, on 24 July 2024 (Azad Essa/MEE)

"July 24th will be remembered as a dark stain on the legacy of the 118th Congress. Inviting a war criminal to speak in our legislative halls while he is committing genocide is a new low for this body," Mohamad Habehh, development director at American Muslims for Palestine, said in a statement shared with MEE.

"Congressional leaders have supported this genocide in Gaza in both word and deed. Not only have they excused the atrocities Israel is committing, they have passed billions of dollars in funding to enable them."

Roughly half of Congress' Democrats opted not to attend the speech, with many citing opposition to Netanyahu's continuation of the war and lack of accountability for civilian deaths in Gaza. However, Rashida Tlaib, the lone Palestinian-American member of Congress, chose to attend his address.

She sat and listened to Netanyahu while holding up a two-sided sign, reading: "War Criminal" and "Guilty of Genocide" - for the Israeli leader to see while he spoke.

Meanwhile, the speech took place amid a turbulent moment in US politics, as US President Joe Biden announced on Sunday he will not be seeking reelection, moving to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic nominee, facing off against Donald Trump in November.

Harris herself didn't attend the speech despite one of her duties as vice president being to preside over the Senate. She instead was on the campaign trail.

Still, despite the apparent snub by a future US president, Harris will be holding a private meeting with Netanyahu - a move protesters say hints that not much is likely to change if Harris wins in November.

ALARMING

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