The chief rabbi has spoken out against media outlets that are failing to label Hamas "terrorists” and are instead using the words "militants" and "fighters" to those responsible for attacking Israel.

Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis has said he is “shocked and devastated by the inhumanity” of the terrorist attacks taking place in Israel, and urged UK broadcasters and other media outlets to designate the group - proscribed as a terrorist organisation in the UK - as such.

Speaking to Kay Burley on Sky News Sir Ephraim said: “If one doesn’t use the term 'terrorist', it is as if one is providing a window of opportunity for justification, and nothing can justify this. 

“Can you imagine, God forbid, terrorists attacked Glastonbury and murdered 260 teenagers there. What would the British public say about anyone in the media that wouldn’t call the perpetrators terrorist?" 

In a separate statement posted on social media after Succot ended on Sunday evening, the community leader said: “We have emerged from two days of Jewish holidays this evening to be confronted by the unimaginable scale and unprecedented brutality of the terrorist attacks on innocent civilians across Israel.  

 “We are shocked and devastated by the inhumanity of the mass murder, kidnapping and purposeful desecration of Jewish life.  

 “We pray for a speedy recovery for the injured, and we mourn alongside the thousands of families grieving the loss of loved ones and those left agonising over what will become of the captured.” 

There will be a special service of prayer and reflection at 8pm this evening, where the chief rabbi will be giving an address. It will also be livestreamed here. 

A BBC spokesperson said: “We reported the Hamas attacks and the response by Israel in line with the BBC’s Editorial Guidelines. We have included contributors who have condemned the attackers as terrorists and we have reported that Hamas is designated as a terrorist group by many Western governments, including the UK.

"While an interviewee who made comments on the Warsaw Ghetto was robustly challenged on air, we agree his comments were offensive and we don’t intend to use him again.”

United Synagogue President Michael Goldstein also released a statement online that focussed on the "pain" and "unimaginable stress" the relatives and loved ones of those killed and missing are experiencing.

It said: "We are all devastated at the events in our beloved Israel. The amount of life lost, impossible to comprehend. The pain of the grieving families, impossible to bear. And the sleepless nights, the unimaginable stress of so many who don’t know where their loved ones are […] I still cannot comprehend such a monstrous attack and terrible tragedy.” 

Progressive Judaism, the umbrella organisation of both the Reform and Liberal movements, has published a series of prayers, provided by its sister movements in the US and Israel. 

A new prayer, written in response to the atrocities, includes the words: “Return all those kidnapped safe and sound to their homes, without the spilling of innocent blood, without their souls becoming tarnished by horrific acts”. 

Reform and Liberal Judaism issued a joint statement, saying: “Liberal Judaism and The Movement for Reform Judaism strongly condemn these barbaric acts of terror by Hamas. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected. 

“We stand in solidarity with the people of Israel. We pray for the immediate return of those taken hostage and the safety of those still under attack, and we share in the pain of those who have been injured and bereaved. As Jews have for thousands of years, we yearn for a time of peace.” 

The rabbis and cantors of Progressive Judaism said they were “shocked and heartbroken at the ongoing terrorist attacks in Israel by Hamas. We are fearful for the citizens of Israel, many of who are our family, friends and colleagues. We stand in solidarity with Israel.” 

Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg and the Masorti movement sent a message to members, saying: “We are heartbroken to learn of the horrific and barbaric attacks against the people of Israel. We stand in solidarity with Israelis at this terrible time and condemn the suffering which has been and will be visited upon so many.  

“We mourn for those who have lost loved ones and pray for healing for those who have been wounded. Our hearts go out to those who have been taken hostage and their families. We pray for the soldiers who are protecting Israel's borders.” 

They are urging members to “be in touch with your community's rabbis for spiritual and emotional support”.