First Minister stops short of condemning protests on October 7 anniversary

The First Minister has stopped short of condemning protests on the second anniversary of the October 7 attacks.

After Sir Keir Starmer criticised the demonstrations as “un-British”, Eluned Morgan refused to echo the Prime Minister’s comments, instead calling for “sensitivity” from pro-Palestine protesters on Tuesday.

Writing in The Times, he said pro-Palestine protests have been used by some as a “despicable excuse to attack British Jews”.

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Protests

Speaking at First Minister’s Questions, Darren Millar, leader of the Welsh Conservatives, urged Baroness Morgan to condemn protests taking place on Tuesday.

He said: “Last week, on Yom Kippur, we saw an atrocious, murderous, barbaric antisemitic attack in Manchester, at the Heaton Park synagogue.

“And, of course, today marks the second anniversary of the atrocities of the October 7 massacre in Israel, carried out by Hamas terrorists.

“The Jewish community, understandably, here in Wales, and across the UK, is fearful of yet further attacks, and they feel intimidated and hurt by the disrespectful behaviour of some terrorist-supporting protesters who continue to fuel hatred on our streets.

“Will you join me today in condemning those who are taking part in such protests?”

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Extreme sensitivity

Baroness Morgan said: “I think we’ve got to use extreme sensitivity on this day of all days.

“I think that it is important that we all, as politicians, appeal for calmness and for kindness, and to make sure that we stand together with our communities across the nation and calm the temperature down on this.

“It is our responsibility as leaders within our communities to make sure that we are appealing for people to calm down and not to raise the temperatures at a really sensitive time.”

Mr Millar added: “The UK Prime Minister and the Home Secretary have called for protests to be called off today.

“I agree with them, but you haven’t.

“So, can you tell us, will you call for protesters to stay at home and not be on our streets, on today of all days?”

Lady Morgan said: “I think it’s important that we support people’s rights to protest.

“I think that’s part of who we are as a democratic nation.

“But I do think that there are times when you need to be sensitive, and I think today is a day when you need to be sensitive.”