By Jordan Coussins,Swnseuan euan Stretch

Copyright birminghammail

Pro-Palestine demonstrators assembled at contentious rallies last night (Tuesday) marking the second anniversary of Hamas’ 7th October assault on Israel. The gatherings witnessed supporters congregating on university campuses nationwide, displaying flags and shouting slogans – despite Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s appeal for students to stay away. In Leeds, one Jewish student criticised a demonstration staged on the steps of the Parkinson Building, cautioning that such displays have left the community feeling “fearful and angry”. Read more: Best hack to avoid £4 Virgin Media broadband price increase This occurred on the second anniversary of the horrors of 7th October, 2023, during which roughly 1,200 people were murdered and another 251 seized as hostages throughout Hamas’ raid into Israel. Louis Danker, 22, the President of the Union of Jewish Students in Leeds, said: “On the second anniversary of October 7th, student groups are celebrating the ‘beloved resistance’ and the ‘glorious Al-Aqsa flood’, Hamas’ name for the October 7th attacks. “As Jewish students seek one day to mourn their loved ones, their peers are glorifying terrorism outside lecture halls and libraries. “Many Jewish students are fearful and angry today. This is not about banning activism – it is about the time, place and manner of incendiary protest. “A culture of impunity on campus antisemitism has allowed this behaviour to go unchecked. Vice Chancellors must take every step to discipline students responsible, uphold the values of their institution, and protect Jewish student life. “We welcome the Government’s condemnation of these protests, but it is time to see action.” Several pro-Palestine demonstrators at the Leeds rally criticised Keir Starmer, who today labelled the planned action as “un-British”. One protestor, Geno, a 20 year old philosophy student residing in the UK for ten years, stated: “I don’t feel British in this country, so quite frankly, the government can say it is un-British to be here, but that’s not going to stop me. “I am from Algeria, so it is quite personal for me because I come from the Middle East. “Approximately 90 students in Gaza have had offers to study at Leeds University, but the university has done nothing to assist them in getting here or provide aid.” Uzma Bashir, 55, asserted that the demonstration was necessary. She declared: “Today marks two years of genocide, murdering and killing of innocent men, women and children. “I disagree with Keir Starmer, we’ve got a right to express our views in a peaceful manner and that’s what we’re doing. He needs to step up and stand for all people.” Two women in their 70s also assembled on the steps near the protest. One of them, Jane, remarked: “Why wouldn’t you come here to demonstrate, when you see what’s happening in Gaza? Somehow, we have to get it to stop. “Actually, it’s very British to demonstrate. We’ve been demonstrating peacefully in this country for years.” On the opposite side of the street, counter-demonstrators wrapped in Israeli flags expressed their distress at witnessing the pro-Palestine rally occurring today. Ronit Zilber remarked: “It’s a day of mourning, but it has been disturbed. The same happened after the attack in Manchester – people demonstrating caused a fracas in the street. “They’re doing it to stop the grieving process. I’m so angry. How dare they? The protestors will tell you this is about Palestine. It’s not. It’s about hatred for Jews.” Mia, a 21 year old student, commented: “Jewish people are terrified – that’s why there are not a lot of people here. There are people who wanted to be here with us today but they are too afraid.” Hannah, 38, stated: “7th October was the deadliest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. Out of all the days that the pro-Palestine protestors could have demonstrated, they chose today purposefully.” The demonstrations occur merely five days following the horrific terror assault on a Manchester synagogue, during which Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, drove a vehicle into worshippers and stabbed congregants on Yom Kippur, killing two men and injuring several others.