In a letter to chief constables across England and Wales, Suella Braverman urged officers to use the “full force of the law” against shows of support for Hamas…reports Asian Lite News
Waving a Palestinian flag on British streets “may not be legitimate” if it is done to show support for acts of terrorism, the home secretary has told police chiefs.
In a letter to chief constables across England and Wales, Suella Braverman urged officers to use the “full force of the law” against shows of support for Hamas.
It comes after vigils were held in Westminster, while pro-Palestinian rallies took place outside the Israeli embassy in Kensington.
Braverman said targeting Jewish neighbourhoods, waving pro-Palestinian or pro-Hamas symbols, and chanting anti-Israeli slogans could all amount to public order offences.
She added unrest in the Middle East has previously been used “as a pretext to stir up hatred against British Jews” – and there is an “obvious risk this pattern will be repeated during the current conflict”.
“I would encourage police to give similar consideration to the presence of symbols such as swastikas at anti-Israel demonstrations. Context is crucial. Behaviours that are legitimate in some circumstances, for example the waving of a Palestinian flag, may not be legitimate… Nor is it acceptable to drive through Jewish neighbourhoods, or single out Jewish members of the public, to aggressively chant or wave pro-Palestinian symbols at. Where harassment is identified, I would encourage the police to take swift and appropriate enforcement action. I encourage all chief officers to ensure that any protests which could exacerbate community tensions by way of offensive placards, chants, or behaviours that could be construed as incitement or harassment, have a strong police presence to ensure perpetrators are appropriately dealt with, and that communities feel protected,” she wrote. Home Office sources confirmed her words had been approved by government lawyers.
Decisions on arrests are an operational matter for the police, Braverman wrote. “However, I would urge you to ensure your forces use all available powers to prevent disorder and distress to our communities, and that your officers will act if there are any incidents that stray into criminality,” she said.
Braverman’s letter was sent after Rishi Sunak vowed that anyone in the UK supporting Hamas would be “held to account” in the aftermath of the attack on Israel.
The prime minister said the government was ready to support any British citizens in need of help, during a visit in Staffordshire on Tuesday.
A “significant number” of British-Israeli dual nationals have been caught up in the conflict in Israel and Gaza, said the foreign secretary, James Cleverly.
Sunak confirmed his support for Israel, saying he stood in solidarity with the state and its people “in the face of these barbaric acts of terrorism”.
Discussing his visit to a synagogue in north London on Monday night, Sunak said he had been “unequivocal with them that we will make sure that they feel safe at this time”.
He said police had “been given very clear guidance and advice from the government to do everything that they can to keep the community safe”. Officers will “clamp down on any behaviour that falls foul of the law”, Sunak said.
He added: “I’d just remind everyone that Hamas is a proscribed terrorist organisation. People should not be supporting Hamas and we will make sure that we hold people to account if they are.”
The number of Britons caught up in the violence in Israel and Gaza has yet to be confirmed, with ministers wary that official estimates of casualties and those injured are still being compiled. Sunak said he understood there were families in the UK “anxious about their loved ones in the region”.
Cleverly runs for cover amid rocket fire during Israel visit
Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on Wednesday shared the harrowing experience of taking shelter when he was forced to run for cover amid rocket fire during a visit to southern Israel.
“Today I’ve seen a glimpse of what millions experience every day. The threat of Hamas rockets lingers over every Israeli man, woman and child. This is why we are standing shoulder to shoulder with Israel,” posted Cleverly on social media platform X.
Cleverly, who is visiting Israel, could be seen running into a building in Ofakim in southern Israel. A siren, which the ministry said warned of incoming Hamas rocket fire, rang out in the background. A video showed James Cleverly and a group running into a building as air sirens blared in Ofakim.
Cleverly was seen running towards the entrance at the start of the clip. The Israeli foreign ministry said the siren was warning citizens of incoming Hamas rocket fire. Cleverly on Wednesday said the UK stands with Israel. “I’m here in Israel today to show that the UK’s support for the Israeli people is unwavering,” he wrote on ‘X’.
Meanwhile, all of Northern Israel has been ordered to take shelter in safe houses/bunkers amid drone infiltration, The Jerusalem Post reported. Red alerts and sirens blared as hostile aircraft entered Tiberias, Beit Shean, Tzfat and northern Israeli communities. Incoming drone alerts are continuing to sound in northern Israel, as per The Times of Israel.
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