LONDON: Pro-Palestinian protesters in the United Kingdom (UK) should stay at home after a series of protests across the country caused concern among the Jewish community, the foreign minister said.
James Cleverly’s statement came as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak warned that people who support Hamas in the United Kingdom will be held to account. Police arrested three people on Monday evening near the Israeli Embassy in London after a massive demonstration organized by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.
Hundreds gathered outside the embassy building, which was boarded up ahead of the protest.
Protesters waved Palestinian flags and urged Israel to end its occupation. Chants of “Israel is a terrorist state” and “Free Palestine” were heard amid fireworks and flares.
London’s Metropolitan Police said in a statement that it would mobilize an enhanced visible presence on the streets, with a focus on protecting Jewish communities in the city.
Cleverly said that the pro-Palestine demonstrations were affecting people who have often been on the receiving end of threats of violence and prejudice. He said that the protests were causing distress and there was no necessity for people to come out.
During a trip to Staffordshire on Tuesday, Prime Minister Sunak vowed to hold to account Hamas supporters in the United Kingdom. He added that the United Kingdom stands ready to help any British-Israeli dual nationals affected by the conflict.
UK’s Proscription of Hamas
The PM said that police officers will clamp down on any behavior that falls foul of the law, referring to the UK’s proscription of Hamas. Showing public support for the Palestinian party carries a punishment in the United Kingdom of up to ten years imprisonment on anti-terror grounds.
In response to Monday night’s demonstrations in London, the Metropolitan Police said it was balancing the right to lawful demonstration with any disruption to Londoners.
