Mother of only British hostage held by Hamas terrorists questions why Keir Starmer backed motion to end Gaza war without freeing her daughter
The mother of the only British hostage asked the Prime Minister yesterday why he was supporting a motion to end the war in Gaza without freeing her daughter.
Mandy Damari, 63, said she felt “betrayed” when the British government backed a UN Security Council resolution calling for an “unconditional” end to the fighting.
It did not state that the release of the hostages should be a condition of peace, which effectively “signs a death warrant” for her 28-year-old daughter, Emily.
Ms Damari told the Mail last month how she asked Sir Keir Starmer to do ‘a lot more’ for her child – but just weeks later he broke his word.
The Surrey-born mother said she was ‘extremely disappointed’ as Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary David Lammy had both personally pledged to fight for Emily.
“They said one thing to me and then did another,” she told the Mail. “Maybe they talk about her behind closed doors, but supporting this UN motion shows that, when it comes down to it, they are not doing enough to get her home alive.
“This decision effectively means a death sentence for her if there is no demand for the release of hostages at the same time as a ceasefire.
“My daughter must now be returned home alive before it is too late for her and she returns to me in a body bag.”
Yesterday, Mandy Damari raised the decision privately with Sir Keir and David Lammy at a Labor Friends of Israel lunch at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Westminster.
Tottenham Hotspur fan Emily was taken from her home on Kibbutz Kfar Aza, near the Gaza border, on October 7 last year
Emily grew up a Tottenham fan, enjoyed British music and ‘loved going to the pub’
Mandy Damari, 63, pictured, said she felt “betrayed” when the British government backed a UN Security Council resolution calling for an “unconditional” end to the fighting.
Yesterday, Ms Damari raised the decision in person with Sir Keir and Mr Lammy at a Labor Friends of Israel lunch at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Westminster.
She also mentioned it in an emotional speech at the event, telling attendees, “That vote shocked me and it broke my heart. No one is more in favor of peace than I am. Nobody.
“But there will be no peace until Emily and all the hostages are brought home.”
Ms Damari further called on the British Government to lead efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to the 101 hostages held in Gaza.
Despite being held for more than a year, not a single prisoner has been visited by Red Cross or UN staff.
Tottenham Hotspur fan Emily was taken from her home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, near the Gaza border, on October 7 last year.
Her beloved golden cockapoo, Choocha, was shot dead, with the attack leaving her with a gunshot wound to the hand. Little has been heard from her since.
Ms. Damari, a kindergarten teacher, said in her speech, “I want us all to take a moment to imagine Emily now, with all the physical and mental scars that may never heal. Dressed in dirty rags, lice in her hair.
Mandy Damari, 63, and her 28-year-old British daughter Emily
Mandy Damari, pictured with Foreign Minister David Lammy on December 2
Mandy Damari speaks at the Remembering October 7 memorial event in Hyde Park, central London
Mandy Damari previously described how her daughter, who has dual British-Israeli citizenship, “loved visiting her family” in Britain after growing up in Israel.
‘She is probably still in pain from the gunshot wounds in her hand and leg that were not properly treated. Shivering and starving. Dehydrated. Ghostly pale. Her breathing is shallow. A bucket for a toilet, impossible to get away from the stench.
‘Guarded by people who want to kill or rape her. Terrified at every waking moment, and too scared to fall asleep. Fighting to stay alive, minute by minute, month by month. 423 days, with no end in sight. She’s in hell.’
Ms Damari was then seen hugging Mr Lammy, who she sat next to during lunch. She later posed for photos with him and Sir Keir.
The Prime Minister responded to her points in his own speech at the event. He said, “Mandy, I want to be absolutely clear about the UN Security Council resolution. This government’s policy towards a ceasefire has not changed.
“There is no ceasefire worthy of the name that does not include, as point number one, the return of all hostages, and that is what we are working for day and night.”
Ms Damari told the Mail afterwards that she was ‘very pleased’ that Sir Keir had committed to the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages as a condition of a ceasefire.
She has also written to the king asking for his support as the monarch will receive the Amir of Qatar today for a state visit.
Mandy Damari has stepped up her desperate campaign to get her daughter back
In a heartwarming photo, Mandy Damari is pictured hugging Emily before she was kidnapped
Mrs. Damari learned that Emily was alive during the ceasefire last November
The Gulf state hosts Hamas’s leadership and is seen as key to putting pressure on the terror group to release the hostages.
Ms Damari also hopes to meet the Prime Minister of Qatar as they are both in London at the same time.
Although the UN motion simultaneously called for the release of the hostages, it did not make this a condition for the ceasefire.
It would essentially give them the green light to pressure Israel to leave Gaza without freeing the prisoners – meaning they would likely never be released.
America used its veto to block the motion, which was supported by the fourteen other members, citing concerns about the prisoners.
Ms Damari was “upset” after Mr Lammy posted on social media hours after they met demanding Israel provide more aid to Gaza, without naming her daughter.
The foreign minister did not mention that he had even met Emily Damari’s mother yesterday, but tweeted to call on Jerusalem to send “equipment to protect against cold and floods” to Gaza.
Ms Damari said: ‘Immediately after re-pledging to fight for Emily, David Lammy took to Twitter to write about the plight of the Palestinians without mentioning Emily or the hostages.
‘Emily suffers from malnutrition, cold and hunger, but he didn’t see the need to mention her once. It’s disturbing and disappointing.”