Prime Minister Calls On Pro-Palestine Demonstrators to Acknowledge the Sorrow of Jewish Britons’

Britain's head of government has called for demonstrators to acknowledge the mourning of Jewish Britons this week” following the Manchester synagogue attack.

Before a scheduled demonstration opposing the restriction on Palestine Action, Keir Starmer wrote that activists should recognise this is a period of grief.

“Civil disobedience is a essential part of our democracy – and there is justified concern about the hardship in Gaza – but a minority have used these protests as a excuse for fueling prejudiced narratives,” he wrote.

“I appeal to anyone considering demonstrating this weekend to understand and value the sorrow of UK Jewish community this week. This is a period of sorrow. It is not a time to heighten conflict and cause more suffering.”

Demonstration Leaders React to Appeals for Cancellation

However, those protesting against the ban on the organization have stated calling off Saturday’s demonstration would “let terror win”, following demands from authorities and the administration to cancel it in the wake of the incident in Manchester.

The security chief, the cabinet member, added her voice on Friday to appeals to reschedule the protest, after police said they wanted to be able to focus their resources on securing Jewish and Muslim communities.

Metropolitan Police Head Expresses Concerns

The Metropolitan police commissioner, Mark Rowley, said that ongoing demonstrations after the incident “could possibly create increased conflict and some might say shows insensitivity”.

The coordinators, Defend Our Juries, said in a announcement on Friday that backers, including several Jewish community members, desired the demonstration to proceed.

They projected 1,500 people, including religious leaders, church officials, pensioners and others, to take part in the event, which would involve them non-violently assembling holding banners saying “I stand against ethnic cleansing. I endorse the organization”.

Legal Action Numbers

More than 1,600 people have been taken into custody at a multiple demonstrations in London and elsewhere since the proscription of the organization came into effect.

“We sympathize with everyone who has lost loved ones in the awful assault on the Manchester religious site and we express unity with the Jewish people across the UK,” the group said in a declaration.

It added: “Numerous Jewish backers of our organization have warned that cancelling tomorrow’s demonstration would risk confusing the decisions of the state of Israel with Jewish people around the world.”

Security Concerns

Defend Our Juries repeated its condemnation of the assault and encouraged the authorities “to emphasize protecting the public, instead of arresting entirely peaceful activists”.

“Cancelling non-violent demonstrations enables terrorism to succeed. It’s more important than ever to protect our democracy, including our essential liberties to non-violent demonstration and freedom of speech.”

Security Personnel

The police chief accused Defend Our Juries of “diverting important personnel from the communities of the metropolis at a time when they are particularly essential”.

“There has been discussion for the past twenty-four months whether pro-Palestinian protests are merely requesting calm, or have an implicit intention to provoke anti-Jewish sentiment,” said the commissioner.

The police leader said the Met would call in assistance from police departments across the UK to ensure it could apprehend all those breaking the law in support of the group, while the law enforcement also gave safeguarding to neighborhoods.

More officers will be stationed in the proximity of Islamic worship places and in areas with significant Muslim communities.

Regulatory Structure

The official continued: “People could question why we do not prohibit the demonstration, but there is no legal basis in regulation for us to do so.”

However, the state-designated authority terror law assessor has informed media outlets that authorities should be granted additional rights to apply for restrictions on demonstration parades in the immediate aftermath of a terrorist attack.

The terrorism legislation reviewer said the power should only be used to preserve security personnel.

“When an urgent case where police need personnel to address the consequences of a terrorist attack, I am taken aback there is no power to ban a parade or protest in these exact conditions,” the expert said.

Official Viewpoint

Metropolitan authorities has expressed that having to monitor ongoing demonstrations since the 7 October 2023 regional conflict had created substantial pressure.

Speaking about Middle East-related rallies that continued on Thursday, the home secretary said in an interview: “I was particularly displeased to see those rallies going ahead last night. I think that action is contrary to British principles. I think it is improper. I would have hoped those people to just reconsider.”