British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated that the government might consider banning certain pro-Palestinian marches under specific circumstances, citing the cumulative impact these demonstrations have had on the Jewish community in Britain. This announcement comes days after two Jewish men were stabbed in Golders Green, north London, and as the UK elevated its national terrorism threat level to severe.
Starmer's Stance on Protests
According to Reuters, Starmer told the BBC that while he would always defend freedom of expression and peaceful protest, chants such as 'Globalise the Intifada' are completely unacceptable and those using them should face prosecution. When asked whether protests should face tougher action on specific chants and banners or be stopped altogether, Starmer supported the former but indicated there are instances where he would also back the latter. He emphasized the need to examine protests comprehensively, considering their cumulative effect.
Rising Security Concerns
Reuters also reported that Britain raised its terrorism threat level to severe on Thursday amid growing security concerns that foreign states are actively fueling violence against the Jewish community in the UK. Laurence Taylor, head of counter-terrorism policing, noted an elevated threat to Jewish and Israeli individuals and institutions, with police working against an unpredictable global situation that includes physical threats by state-linked actors.
Ongoing Discussions
Starmer clarified that the discussion about protest restrictions did not begin this week in response to the Golders Green stabbings. He said conversations with police on this issue have been ongoing for some time. Many in the Jewish community have told him that the repeat nature of the marches and their cumulative effect are their primary concerns.
Police Perspective
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley told the Times that he does not support a temporary ban on pro-Palestinian marches, describing it as impractical. However, he called for clearer and sharper legal powers to manage protests, stating that protest laws are messy and complicated and need strengthening.
Pushback from Organisers
Organizers of the pro-Palestine demonstrations have strongly opposed any ban. John Rees, co-founder of the Stop the War coalition, told Sky News that a ban would strike at the root of free assembly and free speech in Britain. He noted that millions have attended the demonstrations, with only a minuscule number of arrests for offensive conduct. As reported by the Guardian, Rees also argued there is no causal relationship between the marches and attacks on Jewish people, and that individuals carrying out such attacks have no known connection to the protest movement.
Conservative Leader's Call
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch went further than Starmer, calling for a full ban on pro-Palestinian marches, claiming they are being used as cover for promoting violence and intimidation against Jewish people.
