The UK government plans to give police greater powers to restrict demonstrations following repeated pro-Palestinian protests that have sparked considerable fear within the Jewish community.
The initiative comes after Thursday’s deadly knife and car-ramming attack on a synagogue in Manchester, in which one person was killed and several others injured. The assailant, Jihad Al-Shamie, was shot dead by police within minutes.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated, “The right to protest is a fundamental freedom in our country. However, this freedom must be balanced with the freedom of their neighbours to live their lives without fear.” She added, “Large, repeated protests can leave sections of our country, particularly religious communities, feeling unsafe, intimidated and scared to leave their homes.”
The new measures give police authority to restrict demonstrations in certain circumstances. Limiting the right to protest could set a broader precedent, raising questions about how authorities might handle future demonstrations.
Over 1,000 people gathered in Trafalgar Square on Saturday, October 4th for a pro-Palestinian demonstration, with nearly 500 arrested for supporting the banned Palestine Action group. The demonstration defied warnings days after a deadly synagogue attack, drawing police and government fury.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy was booed at a vigil for the Jewish victims of the Manchester attack, highlighting tensions surrounding repeated antisemitic demonstrations.
