Overview

• Sadiq Khan's Eid al-Fitr message cited over 50,000 Palestinian deaths in Gaza, including 15,000 children, figures attributed to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry.
• The Israeli embassy accused Khan of using unreliable casualty data and failing to condemn Hamas or mention hostages held by the group since its October 2023 attack on Israel.
• Khan's spokesperson defended him, stating he has condemned Hamas and expressed sadness over all lives lost in the conflict, but critics argue his message was politically divisive.
• The embassy emphasized the need for responsible rhetoric, referencing a rise in antisemitic incidents in the UK and protests outside places of worship.
• The controversy highlights broader debates over the reliability of casualty figures, the role of public officials in addressing international conflicts, and rising tensions in the UK.