UK PM Warns Pro-Palestinian Marches Could Be Banned After Wave of Anti-Semitic Attacks
TASS
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that pro-Palestinian marches could be suspended in the UK after a series of anti-Semitic attacks. He argued that individuals chanting provocative slogans like 'intifada until victory' should face criminal consequences. The remarks follow a terrorist stabbing in north London and a raised threat level.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on May 2 that pro-Palestinian marches could be suspended in the UK after a series of anti-Semitic attacks. In an interview with the BBC, Starmer emphasized that individuals who chant provocative slogans such as 'intifada until victory' should face tougher action.
“When you hear some of those chants – such as 'intifada until victory' – then it's clear that tougher action is needed in relation to that,” Starmer said. “I think it's time to look at the totality of the protests and their cumulative impact. I think it's time for some protesters to reflect on what the Jewish community is going through and the overall impact of this.”
However, the Prime Minister acknowledged that people have the right to be deeply concerned about events in the Middle East, particularly in the Gaza Strip. Earlier, Ephraim Mirvis, the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the UK and the Commonwealth, proposed suspending pro-Palestinian marches after a terrorist attack in north London.
The Conservative Party and the populist right-wing Reform UK party have called on the Labour government to take a tougher stance on the protests. Meanwhile, the Green Party and the left-wing Your Party argued that anti-Semitic attacks should not be grounds to restrict civil liberties.
On April 29, a Somali-born British citizen stabbed two men, aged 34 and 76, in the Golders Green area, which has a large Jewish community. Both victims are being treated in hospital in stable condition. The attacker was arrested at the scene. The incident was declared a terrorist attack. On April 30, UK security agencies raised the terrorism threat level from 'substantial' to 'severe' (level four out of five), meaning terrorist attacks are assessed as 'highly likely' in the next six months.
Since the war erupted in Iran at the end of February, several attacks on Jewish institutions have been recorded in London, including the burning of an ambulance belonging to the Jewish volunteer organization Hatzalah, attempted arson at the headquarters of the Jewish charity Jewish Futures, and two synagogues.
