Starmer Condemns 7 October Student Protests as ‘Un-British’

Published: 07 October 2025. The English Chronicle Desk.

As the second anniversary of the Hamas-led attacks on Israel approaches, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has strongly urged students not to take part in planned demonstrations, describing the protests as “un-British” and emphasising the need for respect and empathy in light of the tragic events of 7 October 2023. Starmer’s intervention comes amid growing concerns over demonstrations at universities, which he warned could be misused to target Jewish communities.

Writing in the Times, Starmer highlighted the importance of remembering the victims of the 2023 assault, in which Hamas militants killed approximately 1,200 people and took 251 hostages in southern Israel. The prime minister stressed that every child in Israel should be able to live alongside their Palestinian neighbours in safety and security, framing the anniversary as a moment for reflection rather than political confrontation. He noted that the pro-Palestinian protests had in previous years been exploited by some as a “despicable excuse to attack British Jews.”

“Today, on the anniversary of the atrocities of October 7, students are once again planning protests,” Starmer wrote. “This is not who we are as a country. It’s un-British to have so little respect for others. And that’s before some of them decide to start chanting hatred towards Jewish people all over again.”

The anniversary coincides with continued humanitarian and security crises in the region. Israel’s ongoing military offensive in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of more than 67,000 Palestinians and left approximately 170,000 wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Additionally, at least 460 people have died from starvation due to severe restrictions on aid deliveries to the territory.

The timing of the anniversary is particularly sensitive following a recent terror attack outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester. On Yom Kippur, Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, launched an assault that left Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, dead. Starmer recalled the severity of these events, describing them as “the worst attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust” and emphasizing the cold-blooded nature of the killings and hostage-taking, some of whom remain in Gaza today.

The prime minister’s warnings were echoed by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, who urged students to exercise caution and to consider the wider impact of their actions. Speaking to Sky News, Phillipson acknowledged the right to protest as a cornerstone of democracy but stressed that demonstrations on this date could cause distress to those affected by the events in Israel and recent attacks in the UK. “As we remember the awful atrocities that took place two years ago on October 7, I would just encourage those considering taking part in protests to pause, to reflect and to understand the deep sense of loss that many people in our country will be experiencing today,” she said.

Large-scale events have already taken place over the weekend, drawing thousands to central London. A commemoration was held at Trafalgar Square on Sunday to mark the two-year anniversary of the attacks, while pro-Palestinian protests occurred on Saturday at the same location, resulting in nearly 500 arrests. These incidents have intensified debates over the limits of free expression, public safety, and the responsibilities of university administrations in managing demonstrations on sensitive dates.

Conservative politicians have also joined the chorus of concern. Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick described the planned university protests as “a disgrace,” speaking at a fringe event during the party conference. Jenrick criticized the scheduling of demonstrations in cities including London, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Bristol, highlighting the potential for public disorder and harm to community cohesion.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood emphasized the impact of repeated large-scale demonstrations on the Jewish community, citing “considerable fear” as a consequence. She announced plans to enhance police powers under the Public Order Act 1986, particularly sections 12 and 14, to enable authorities to consider the cumulative effects of frequent protests on local areas. The measures will also include a review of existing legislation to ensure police have sufficient, consistent authority to impose restrictions on, or ban, demonstrations if public safety is at risk.

The government’s approach reflects a balancing act between protecting the right to peaceful protest and preventing the glorification of violence or the targeting of minority communities. Authorities have underscored that lawful demonstrations are permitted, but any actions that endorse or justify terrorism, or that incite hatred, may result in criminal prosecution.

As universities prepare for events on Tuesday, students are being urged to carefully weigh the legal and ethical implications of participation. University leaders and government officials alike have called for calm, responsible engagement, emphasizing that freedom of expression must be exercised with awareness of its consequences, particularly on a day marked by profound loss and ongoing tensions.

The anniversary of 7 October thus serves as a reminder of both the continuing human toll in Israel and Gaza and the responsibilities of citizens, students, and institutions in the UK to ensure that remembrance and protest do not cross into the realm of incitement or hatred. With tensions high and emotions raw, the coming days will test the capacity of authorities and communities to manage public expression while maintaining social cohesion and public safety.