Suella Braverman criticizes pro-Palestine demonstrations as ‘hate marches’
The Home Secretary alleges that protesters aim to ‘eliminate Israel’ by voicing support for Palestine.
UK Ministers and Suella Braverman Address Terrorism Threat Amid Israel-Hamas Conflict
In a recent development that has ignited a firestorm of controversy, Suella Braverman, the UK’s Home Secretary, has characterized the demonstrators who have taken to the streets in support of a ceasefire in Gaza as participants in “hate marches.” This statement has raised concerns and led to a heated debate in the country.
Suella Braverman didn’t mince words, asserting that “tens of thousands of people” had joined these street protests and, shockingly, “chanted for the erasure of Israel from the map.” Her comments come in the wake of a Cobra meeting chaired by Chancellor Rishi Sunak, where security and national defense issues were on the agenda.
The trigger for this reaction was the tragic loss of life during the Israel-Hamas conflict, which marked the largest single loss of Jewish lives since the Holocaust. The demonstrators’ chants for the “erasure of Israel from the map” have been met with outrage and alarm from various quarters.
The controversial slogan in question is “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” This slogan has a long history of use among pro-Palestinian campaigners and symbolizes the aspiration for Palestinian self-determination in the region between the River Jordan and the Mediterranean Sea. However, some supporters of Israel contend that this slogan is a call for the destruction of Israel and the harm to its citizens.
Suella Braverman is not alone in her stance. She has reiterated her previous demand that the police take a “zero-tolerance approach to antisemitism.” She, along with other UK ministers, firmly believes that such chants should be treated as incitement to hatred and violence. However, this issue isn’t straightforward, and legal experts have pointed out the complexities in prosecuting individuals for chanting this slogan under existing laws.
London’s Metropolitan Police, known as Scotland Yard, has conveyed that arresting individuals for chanting this slogan during demonstrations would be challenging. The reason being that many of the participants see it as a plea for Palestinian self-determination rather than a call for violence against Israel.
Yvette Cooper, the Shadow Home Secretary, criticized Suella Braverman’s comments as “irresponsible and careless.” Cooper stressed the importance of making it easier for the police to tackle hate crimes and extremism while also acknowledging the distress within different communities due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. She emphasized the need to rebuild community cohesion during this challenging time.
The UK government’s concern about terrorism threats has heightened significantly over the past 18 months, with a particular focus on Iran. In February, Iran was accused of being behind 15 credible threats to individuals in the UK who were considered threats to the Iranian regime. This underscores the real and present danger that security agencies are contending with.
The security concerns have been further compounded by the Israel-Hamas conflict, which has the potential to spill over onto British soil. MI5, the UK’s domestic intelligence agency, has been monitoring the situation closely. Its chief, Ken McCallum, warned earlier this month that Iran or other terror groups could escalate their activities in the UK. Additionally, there is a fear that Jewish groups could become targets for extremist elements, including neo-Nazis and Islamists.
While concerns are mounting, the decision to raise the terrorism threat level is not within the purview of the Cobra committee, which chaired the recent meeting. It falls under the jurisdiction of the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre. The current threat level in England, Wales, and Scotland stands at “substantial,” indicating that a terrorist attack is likely. This level has been in place since February of the previous year when it was lowered from “severe,” signifying a highly likely threat.
The issue extends beyond domestic concerns. The Israel-Hamas conflict has had a far-reaching impact on the UK. Sir Mark Rowley, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, stressed that the Middle East events are having a significant knock-on effect in Britain. He pointed to the rise in activity from Iranian-backed groups within the country.
Rowley highlighted the scale of the risk emanating from the Middle East, noting a 14-fold increase in antisemitism in London for Jewish communities and a nearly threefold increase for Muslim communities. In this volatile environment, large-scale protests have become a concerning factor for law enforcement agencies.
Suella Braverman’s previous call to the police to clamp down on the use of certain symbols and slogans to harass or intimidate Jewish people has sparked debate and concerns. She urged the police to consider whether slogans like “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” should be regarded as an expression of violent intent toward Israel.
The government, including Ex. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, has also taken a stance on this issue. A spokesperson for the Prime Minister described the slogan as “deeply offensive” to many and urged protesters to be responsible in their use of language.
The security situation remains complex, and the police have been actively involved. Nearly 100 arrests have been made in London since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October, with the police anticipating “many, many more arrests” in the coming days.
On a recent Sunday, five individuals were charged with offenses related to displaying illegal placards and assaulting a police officer during the third consecutive weekend of mass pro-Palestinian demonstrations. The situation is far from resolved, and the UK government, police, and security agencies remain vigilant in their efforts to maintain law and order while dealing with complex and sensitive issues.
The Israel-Hamas conflict continues to have a profound impact on the UK, touching on issues of security, extremism, hate crimes, and freedom of expression. It’s a challenging time for the nation as it grapples with these complex and multifaceted concerns. The role of law enforcement and the government in striking a balance between safeguarding security and upholding democratic values will be closely scrutinized in the days and weeks ahead.
As the situation unfolds, the UK faces the delicate task of navigating these turbulent waters while addressing the genuine concerns and grievances of various communities. The road ahead is fraught with challenges, but the nation remains resolute in its commitment to maintaining peace and security.
By: M Z Hossain, Editor Sky Buzz Feed
