- London labeled “no-go for Jews”
- Commissioner urges bold extremism fight
- Protests spark government, activist clash
During weekend pro-Palestinian marches, London has become a “no-go zone for Jews,” according to the government’s counter-extremism commissioner.
When addressing extremism, Robin Simcox urged ministers to “be more audacious and willing to assume greater legal risk.”
A week ago, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak issued a speech warning of “forces attempting to tear the country apart.”
A participant organisation in the marches, Stop the War Coalition, stated that Jewish people had “no reason” to be terrified.
Mr Simcox stated in the Telegraph that Mr Sunak correctly identified a rise in extremist disruption.
He stated that “policies befitting the magnitude of the challenge” were now required.
Mr. Simcox stated that establishing a novel definition of extremism served a “distinct purpose” and would “direct subsequent determinations regarding the entities that the government finances and supports and refrains from involving.”
He further stated that the government possessed more capability than it occasionally acknowledges to combat extremism.
He stated that if extremists are unable to operate television channels, we have not betrayed democracy.
Furthermore, we shall not have attained the status of an authoritarian state until Jews are no longer prohibited from entering London every weekend.
He added that these and more have become commonplace in the United Kingdom.
Considered irresponsible
John Rees, a national officer of the Stop the War Coalition, insisted that Jewish people had “absolutely no reason” to be alarmed by the demonstrations.
He acknowledged that he could see why some individuals might feel frightened but labelled the prime minister “irresponsible” for instilling fear in the Jewish community about Mr Sunak.
He said that if the government chooses to incite such dread, individuals will undoubtedly perceive themselves as such.
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Regular pro-Palestine marches have occurred in London since the onset of the Gaza conflict.
Home Secretary James Cleverly implored the groups to cease their demonstrations last month, stating, “You’ve made your point.”
He questioned, in an interview with the New York Times, whether the protests contributed “value” to their demand for an end to hostilities in Gaza.
The organisations contend that the Metropolitan Police engaged in rough and “discriminatory” treatment of “peaceful mass protests” due to government pressure and anti-Muslim “hysteria” expressed by certain members of parliament.
