London, 7 October 2025 – On the second anniversary of the horrific Hamas attacks on Israel, Kemi Badenoch, the Leader of the Conservative Party and HM Official Opposition, has issued a stark reminder of the “barbaric massacre” that claimed the lives of innocent men, women, and children. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Badenoch described the events of 7 October 2023 as “one of the darkest days in modern history” and an assault not just on Israel, but on “humanity, on decency, and on every value we hold dear.”
Badenoch, who became Conservative leader following the party’s defeat in the 2024 general election, emphasised Israel’s unique status as the world’s only Jewish state, born from the ashes of the Holocaust and embodying the resilience of the Jewish people. She praised the nation as a democracy and a “beacon of resilience” amid ongoing threats of hatred, war, and terror.
However, the opposition leader warned that the hatred fuelling the 2023 atrocities persists today. She pointed to “so-called ‘protests’ that too often turn into hate marches on our streets” and chants calling to “globalise the intifada.” Badenoch also referenced the recent terrorist attack on the Jewish community in Manchester, which occurred last week and left at least two worshippers dead and others seriously injured in a car ramming and stabbing incident outside a synagogue on Yom Kippur. The assailant, identified as Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, was shot dead by police at the scene.
In her statement, Badenoch sharply criticised the Labour Government’s decision to formally recognise a Palestinian state last month, calling it “shameful” and a reward for the terrorists responsible for the October 7 attacks. The UK’s move, announced on 22 September alongside similar recognitions by Australia, Canada, and France, aimed to bolster the viability of a two-state solution amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. However, it drew fury from Israel and has been contentious domestically. “Appeasement does not work,” Badenoch asserted, arguing that such actions undermine efforts to combat terrorism.
The Conservative leader also called attention to the 48 hostages still held in Gaza, describing their plight as “a moral stain on the world’s conscience.” She urged for their immediate release, stating: “They must be brought home, now.”
Badenoch’s comments come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, with Israel continuing to face threats on multiple fronts two years after the attacks that killed over 1,200 people and saw more than 250 taken hostage. Her intervention echoes earlier criticisms she levelled against Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s foreign policy, including in an August post where she accused the government of surrendering to anti-Israel sentiment and betraying Britain’s security interests.
As the UK joins over 150 countries in recognising Palestine, the debate over the timing and implications of this decision remains polarised. Proponents argue it advances peace efforts, while critics like Badenoch contend it incentivises terrorism without addressing the root causes of the conflict.
The anniversary has prompted reflections across the political spectrum, with memorials held in London and elsewhere to honour the victims and reaffirm support for Israel’s right to defend itself.
