Labour MP expresses solidarity with British Jews after 'horrific' Bondi Beach shooting: 'We stand with you'

Labour MP Alex Davies-Jones has expressed her solidarity with Jewish communities both in Australia and the UK, following the mass shooting on Bondi Beach.

Speaking to GB News, the Justice Minister described yesterday's events as "horrific" and extended her sympathies to those affected, declaring she "stands with" the Jewish community in the UK.

At least 15 people have been confirmed dead following the massacre on the Australian coast on Sunday.

Police identified Naveed Akram, 24, and his father Sajid Akram, 50, as the two men who opened fire during the celebration in Sydney.

Naveed remains in a critical condition in hospital while Sajid was shot dead by police at the scene.

Offering her reaction to the shooting, Ms Davies-Jones told GB News: "It is horrific and all of my thoughts and condolences are with the victims, with the Jewish community in Australia, and with the Jewish community here in the United Kingdom, who will be feeling this acutely at the moment.

"It is important that all everyone feels safe wherever they are practicing their freedom of religion."

She added: "That is why the Prime Minister has ensured that the Community Security Trust, who are the organisation that protects the Jewish community here at home, have the support they need to ensure that all Hanukkah events that are taking place can do so safely."

Stressing how important it is that the Government shows its support for the British Jewish community, the MP stated: "This afternoon, I'll be heading to Manchester to stand with the community there, who are still reeling two months on from the horrific terror attack at the Manchester Heaton Park synagogue.

"It's important that the Jewish community knows that we are standing with them and we support them at this difficult time."

Ms Davies-Jones acknowledged the alarming surge in anti-Jewish hatred both domestically and internationally, noting this trend has intensified since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7.

She explained: "I feel that pain of our Jewish community. It is horrific, the current rising levels of antisemitism here in the United Kingdom and abroad, and this has been a growing concern since the October 7 attack of Hamas on Israel.

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"But this has also been an issue going back millennia. You know, antisemitism and anti-Jewish hatred is the world's oldest hatred, and it is on all of us to do more to tackle this."

The Justice Minister also detailed new legislation put forward by the Government to "prevent protests" outside places of worship.

Ms Davies-Jones explained: "The Government is introducing new legislation to prevent protests around places of religious worship, to ensure that anyone accessing their freedoms is able to do so safely.

"We are cracking down, though the police have new powers in order to crack down on anyone chanting and calling for the murder of Jews in our streets, because that is wholly unacceptable as well."

She concluded: "The right to protest is an important one in our country, and it is one I will defend to my hilt, but I will also ensure that people are safe.

"And there has to be a balance struck here, and those crossing the line, we will not hesitate to make sure that they feel the full force of the law."

Also speaking to GB News, Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden told the People's Channel: "Seeing the Jewish community targeted yet again, it's just awful. My mind was thrown back to those attacks in Manchester just a few months ago, on the synagogue there, it's pretty clear that there are people who are just [full of] hate in our country at the moment.

"I cannot see it or understand it, and we need to get through to people to tackle this properly. It's just awful that we're in a situation where people have such hatred of people just because of their religion. I really do think that we've got to take this head on."