UK Leader Calls On Pro-Palestine Demonstrators to Acknowledge the Grief of British Jews’

Britain's head of government has urged demonstrators to acknowledge the sorrow of the UK Jewish community this week” in the wake of the Manchester synagogue attack.

Ahead of a scheduled demonstration challenging the restriction on Palestine Action, Keir Starmer wrote that demonstrators should acknowledge this is a time of mourning.

“Civil disobedience is a fundamental element of our democracy – and there is justified concern about the suffering in Gaza – but a few individuals have used these protests as a excuse for fueling anti-Jewish stereotypes,” he stated.

“I urge anyone thinking about demonstrating this weekend to acknowledge and value the mourning of UK Jewish community this week. This is a moment of mourning. It is not a time to heighten conflict and cause more suffering.”

Rally Coordinators Respond to Requests for Delay

Nevertheless, those opposing the ban on the activist group have stated cancelling Saturday’s protest would “let terror win”, amid calls from authorities and the government to call it off after the assault in Manchester.

The security chief, Shabana Mahmood, added her voice on Friday to calls to reschedule the event, after authorities said they needed to be able to concentrate efforts on protecting faith-based populations.

Police Commissioner Raises Issues

The Metropolitan police commissioner, the law enforcement leader, said that persistent rallies after the attack “could possibly create further tensions and some might say shows insensitivity”.

The organisers, the protest group, said in a declaration on Friday that supporters, including several Jewish community members, wanted the rally to go ahead.

It expected 1,500 people, including priests, church officials, pensioners and others, to be involved in the event, which would involve them non-violently assembling holding banners saying “I reject mass killing. I back the activist group”.

Detention Figures

More than numerous participants have been detained at a series of protests in the UK metropolis and different places since the ban of the organization came into effect.

“Our thoughts are with everyone who has experienced tragedy in the awful assault on Heaton Park synagogue and we express unity with the Jewish people across the UK,” the organization said in a statement.

The statement continued: “Several Jewish participants of our organization have advised that postponing tomorrow’s demonstration would potentially confusing the decisions of the Middle Eastern nation with Jewish individuals around the world.”

Security Concerns

The organization repeated its condemnation of the assault and encouraged the police “to emphasize safeguarding the community, instead of apprehending completely non-violent activists”.

“Calling off peaceful protests allows extremism to triumph. It’s more important than ever to protect our democracy, including our basic freedoms to non-violent demonstration and liberty of opinion.”

Law Enforcement Capacity

The commissioner claimed the organization of “taking crucial capacity from the populations of the capital at a time when they are particularly essential”.

“There has been discussion for the last two years whether pro-Palestinian protests are merely requesting calm, or have an implicit intention to incite antisemitism,” said Rowley.

The police leader said the Metropolitan Police would call in support from forces across the UK to ensure it could apprehend all those violating regulations in support of Palestine Action, while the law enforcement also offered protection to populations.

More officers will be stationed in the proximity of Islamic worship places and in neighborhoods with substantial Islamic residents.

Governmental Authority

Rowley further stated: “People could question why we do not prohibit the demonstration, but there is no authority in legislation for us to do so.”

Nonetheless, the state-designated authority reviewer of terrorism legislation has told journalistic sources that law enforcement should be granted additional rights to seek bans on demonstration parades in the direct wake of a terrorist attack.

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

“In cases where an critical circumstance where police need resources to handle the aftermath of a security incident, I am taken aback there is no legal basis to forbid a procession or protest in these exact conditions,” the reviewer said.

Government Position

The Met has complained that having to police constant protests since the previous year's attack on Israel had placed it under significant strain.

Speaking about pro-Palestinian protests that went ahead on Thursday, the home secretary said in an discussion: “I was particularly displeased to see those protests proceeding last night. I think that behaviour is fundamentally un-British. I think it is dishonourable. I would have preferred those participants to just pause.”