Protests may need to be stopped in some cases, PM suggests
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has suggested that some protests may need to be stopped due to concerns over their cumulative impact on the Jewish community, following recent violent incidents and antisemitic rhetoric. While affirming the right to peaceful protest, he emphasized the need to address harmful chants like 'globalise the intifada' and review existing public order laws. The government faces pressure from various groups, with some calling for a moratorium on pro-Palestinian marches and others warning against restricting civil liberties.
- ▪Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said there may be instances where protests should be stopped due to their cumulative effect on the Jewish community.
- ▪The government has not yet published a review of public order and hate crime legislation commissioned after a deadly attack outside a synagogue in Manchester.
- ▪Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis and terrorism legislation reviewer Jonathan Hall have called for a temporary ban on pro-Palestinian marches over concerns about antisemitic language.
- ▪The Metropolitan Police successfully banned the Al Quds Day march in London, marking the first protest ban since 2012.
- ▪Starmer described the chant 'globalise the intifada' as dangerous and said it should be prosecuted if used during protests.
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Protests may need to be stopped in some cases, PM suggests5 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleBecky MortonPolitical reporterBBCThe prime minister has suggested there may be a case for banning some protests, following calls for a suspension of pro-Palestinian marches.Asked if he wanted tougher policing of language used during marches, or if he wanted to stop some protests altogether, Sir Keir Starmer told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I think certainly the first, and I think there are instances for the latter."The PM said he would always defend the right to protest but he was concerned about the "cumulative" effect of repeated marches on the Jewish community.It comes after two Jewish men were stabbed in Golders Green, north London, on Wednesday.The attack, which has been…
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