British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has requested assurances from London’s police chief regarding the safety of a pro-Palestinian march scheduled for Saturday. This comes as the police have made nearly 200 arrests related to hate crimes since the recent conflict between Hamas militants and Israel. Sunak called for an explanation from Commissioner Mark Rowley as to why he was allowing the march to proceed, stating that holding it on Armistice Day, a day of remembrance for war casualties, was disrespectful.
Commissioner Rowley, on the other hand, defended the decision, stating that protests held in a single location could not be banned unless there was a credible intelligence suggesting a threat of serious disorder. He also mentioned that banning marches had not been implemented for the past decade. The Palestinian Solidarity Campaign, the organization behind the march, has assured that they would avoid London’s main war memorial, the Cenotaph.
However, there are concerns over potential violent confrontations, as far-right groups have expressed their intention to protect the Cenotaph after a war memorial in northern England was defaced. These concerns are further amplified by the recent rise in hate crimes, especially antisemitic and Islamophobic offenses. Since October 7, London police have made 188 arrests related to hate crimes, with 98 being suspected antisemitic offenses, 21 Islamophobic offenses, and 12 faith hate crimes. The rest of the arrests were for racially aggravated public order offenses linked to protests.
Commander Paul Trevers expressed significant concern over the rise in both antisemitic and Islamophobic hate crimes. He highlighted the shocking and hateful abuse that victims have endured, including acts of violence reported by police officers. Most of the antisemitic offenses were concentrated in London’s Hackney area, which is home to a large Jewish community.
The Community Security Trust, an advisory service for Britain’s Jewish community on security matters, reported a record number of at least 1,124 antisemitic incidents across the country within a 32-day period following the Hamas attacks.
As preparations for the pro-Palestinian march continue, the British Prime Minister is determined to hold the police accountable for ensuring both public safety and the respectful commemoration of Armistice Day. The focus now turns to maintaining order while addressing the underlying issues of hate crimes and fostering a sense of harmony and unity within communities.
