On Monday, a significant debate will take place in the House of Commons to mark the first anniversary of the Hamas attacks on October 7. This adjournment debate, secured by Labour MP

Jon Pearce, will commemorate the massacre that has deeply impacted Jewish communities in the UK and worldwide.

Jon Pearce, who was recently appointed as the new parliamentary chair of Labour Friends of Israel following Steve McCabe's departure from Parliament, led the effort to bring this debate to Westminster. MPs from various parties are expected to contribute, addressing the devastating consequences of the October 7 atrocity. A government minister will also respond during the debate, which has been added to next week’s Westminster agenda.

Earlier on Monday, ministers are likely to mention the anniversary during sessions in both the Commons and the Lords. The debate follows a memorial event on Sunday organized by the Board of Deputies, the Jewish Leadership Council, and other community groups, including the Hostages and Missing Families Forum UK and the Jewish Agency for Israel. The event will take place in Hyde Park.

While no politicians are slated to speak at the memorial, they are invited to attend in a personal capacity. Similar commemorative events are also planned in communities across the UK, including in Manchester, Leeds, and Brighton, many of which will coincide with the anniversary on Monday. Photo by UK government, Wikimedia commons.