Palestinian-supporting protests described as 'not in keeping with British values' in the wake of Manchester attack, UK home secretary declares

Demonstration scene Media Source

Britain's Home Secretary expressed regret that pro-Palestinian demonstrations proceeded on Thursday after the terror attack that claimed the lives of two men outside a synagogue in Manchester.

The top security official additionally called on protesters to "pause" from intentions to stage protests in the coming days.

"In my view that carrying on in this way seems contrary to British values, it feels wrong," she remarked about demonstrations arranged for this week.

Demonstrators in downtown London protesting the Israel's naval forces intercepting a aid convoy transporting aid to Gaza clashed with law enforcement near the Prime Minister's residence on Thursday night.

Numerous people carrying Palestinian flags and banners could be seen on the government district throughout the night.

London's police force announced that fourty individuals had been detained. A half-dozen of those arrested were detained over attacks against law enforcement personnel.

"It's essential to make a distinction between events unfolding in the Middle East and what is happening at home," the minister told a breakfast show on Friday morning.

"My message would be to people who are intending to participate in a demonstration is to just take a step back for a minute, and consider if you had lost a family member to a terror attack in this country," she continued.

There were "strong" powers to protect the right to protest, she noted, but they could be set aside on the advice of the police.

"I can follow guidance from the law enforcement, if they were to inform me there was an insufficient resources to manage and to police the demonstrations, then there are authorities that are at my disposal," she explained.

Community leaders express concerns

The UK's senior rabbinical leader remarked that many people of the Jewish community questioned why marches in support of Palestinian causes had been permitted to take place.

The group was proscribed as a terror group in July. At various demonstrations since then, hundreds have been taken into custody for expressing solidarity for the organization, which has obtained authorization to challenge the proscription.

"A portion of them contain outright antisemitism, clear support for Hamas. Not everyone involved, however there is so much of this, which undoubtedly represents harmful to many within our society," the religious leader stated.

"It's impossible to disconnect the words on our public spaces, the actions of individuals in this way, and what subsequently occurs, which was yesterday's terrorist attack."

Additionally, he urged the administration "once more", to "get a grip on these demonstrations, they are dangerous."

Jason Gutierrez
Jason Gutierrez

A certified nutritionist passionate about holistic health and evidence-based dietary practices.