Pro-Palestinian protests are set to continue across the UK on Saturday after Rishi Sunak warned that democracy was being targeted by “extremists”.
In an address to the nation on Friday, the prime minister spoke of “forces within the country trying to divide us” after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7.
Speaking outside No 10 Downing Street, Sunak said “our democracy is a goal in itself” and condemned the recent “shocking increase in extremist sabotage and criminal activity”.
He described George Galloway’s victory in the Rochdale by-election as “shocking”. He also spoke directly to those taking part in pro-Palestinian protests, urging organizers to demonstrate peacefully “with empathy.”
He said he had told senior police chiefs that the public wanted protests to be policed, not simply managed.
Sunak said: “I want to say directly to those who choose to continue protesting: don’t let extremists hijack your march. Over the next few weeks, you have the opportunity to prove that you can protest decently and peacefully, and with empathy. compatriots.
“Let’s prove these extremists wrong and show them that even though we have our differences, we will never be divided.”
The prime minister said a line must be drawn so that people can “march and protest passionately” in support of Gaza, but demonstrators “cannot call for violent jihad” to justify the actions of Palestinian militant group Hamas. The group is banned in the UK from supporting any form or “calling for the elimination of a country or any form of hatred or anti-Semitism”.
Labor leader Keir Starmer appeared to back Sunak’s message calling for national unity.
“The Prime Minister is right to promote unity and condemn the unacceptable and intimidating behavior we have seen recently,” he said.
Sunak’s comments have also been criticized, particularly by those he targeted, including Galloway, who won nearly 40% of the vote in the heavily Muslim constituency.
Galloway accused Sunak of using Britain’s Muslim population as “scapegoats” and treating them as “second-class voters”.
“This is what he did in Downing Street today, it was a despicable and dangerous thing,” said the newly elected MP, who has been a divisive figure in British politics in recent decades.
“Secondly, the UK is alarmed by the growing support for Palestine, for Gaza, and for people trying to portray these peaceful demonstrators – who almost always demonstrate without arresting anyone or even throwing down a paper cup – that they It’s an attempt to conflate peaceful democratic protest in the UK with some kind of mob, some kind of violence and intimidation.”
Lib Dem leader Ed Davey said: “The British people will learn no lessons from the Prime Minister and the Conservative Party who have sown the seeds of division for many years.”
Bin Gamal, the head of the Palestinian Solidarity Movement, responded to the prime minister’s speech by suggesting he “look in the mirror” and expel some senior MPs from the party.
Jamal posted on The commentators and religious leaders started. Not the ones protesting.
“As for his anger at those who seek to divide us, has he ever looked in the mirror, or looked at his cabinet table? Back after kicking Suela Braverman, Robert Jenrick [and] Michael Gove is out. This is just for beginners. “
Many of this weekend’s protests were directed at Barclays, which the group claims has “close financial ties to arms companies that supply weapons and military technology to Israel.”
The group said branches of the bank would be the focus of protests from Abergavenny in South Wales to Worthing in West Sussex.
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