Palestinian-supporting protests labeled 'un-British' in the wake of Manchester synagogue terror incident, British interior minister asserts

Demonstration scene News Agency

Britain's Home Secretary expressed regret that Palestinian-supporting demonstrations proceeded on Thursday evening following the terror attack that claimed two lives near a Jewish place of worship in the city of Manchester.

Britain's top security official additionally called on protesters to "reconsider" from intentions to stage protests in the coming days.

"In my view that continuing in this way does feel contrary to British values, it feels wrong," she stated about protests arranged for this weekend.

Demonstrators in central London protesting the Israeli navy halting a flotilla carrying aid to Gaza confronted with law enforcement outside the Prime Minister's residence on Thursday night.

Large crowds holding flags of Palestine and banners could be spotted on Whitehall throughout the evening.

The police force reported that 40 people had been arrested. A half-dozen of those apprehended were charged with assaults on law enforcement personnel.

"It is important to make a distinction between what is happening in the Middle East and situations developing at home," the minister told a morning news program on Friday.

"I would advise to people who are considering to participate in a protest is to reconsider briefly for a moment, and imagine if you had lost a loved one to a terrorist incident in this nation," she emphasized.

There were "strong" authorities to safeguard the freedom to protest, she stated, but they could be set aside on the recommendation of the law enforcement.

"I can follow guidance from the law enforcement, if they were to inform me there was an inability to respond and to police the demonstrations, then there are authorities that are accessible," she clarified.

Community representatives express worries

The UK's senior rabbinical leader remarked that many members of the Jewish population wondered why protests in support of Palestinian causes had been permitted to take place.

The group was outlawed as a terrorist organisation in July. At numerous demonstrations after that, hundreds have been taken into custody for showing support for the group, which has secured permission to contest the ban.

"Some of them contain outright anti-Jewish sentiment, clear backing for Hamas. Not everyone involved, however there is so much of these elements, which certainly is dangerous to many within our community," the chief rabbi stated.

"It's impossible to disconnect the words on our streets, the conduct of people in this manner, and what ultimately follows, which was yesterday's terror incident."

Additionally, he called on the government "once more", to "get a grip on these protests, they are risky."

Cynthia Sweeney
Cynthia Sweeney

A seasoned content strategist with over a decade of experience in digital marketing and blogging, passionate about helping others succeed online.