Hamas must release fellow Spurs fan Emily Damari now

She’s one of our own. Bring her home.

That’s what Spurs fans chanted this weekend in support of British citizen, Emily Damari. And that’s the message I have been passing at every opportunity since becoming Foreign Secretary.

I have met Mandy Damari, Emily’s mother. Her bravery in the face of this horrific ordeal is astonishing. She has no word on Emily’s fate, no indication of how she is doing. Yet her love for Emily, and Emily’s love for life, shone through our conversation.

But as Mandy says, she and Emily do not need our sympathies. What they need is for us to make every effort to save Emily’s life.

That’s why securing the safe release of all hostages, including Emily and those with strong UK-links, is a top priority for the government.

Why the Prime Minister and I have personally raised her case with the Israeli government, with partners in the region, and with close allies like the United States.

Why from our first day in office, it has been our priority to push for a ceasefire in Gaza, to secure the release of all the hostages, protect civilians and deliver a surge of aid into Gaza.

Hamas could choose to end their suffering today. It could agree to a ceasefire and release all hostages immediately and unconditionally.

Hamas fanatics see Emily solely as something to trade in pursuit of their hateful agenda.