Pro-Palestine marchers have a right to protest but should “be mindful” of the “fear and distress felt by many families in this country”, Downing Street has said.
Demonstrators must be “free to peacefully express their views” but police should “take the strongest action” where antisemitism and other forms of hate are promoted, No 10 said.
The advice appears to signal a shift in tone from last week, when Foreign Secretary James Cleverly suggested people should “pause” pro-Palestine protests in the aftermath of Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel.
He had told Sky News: “There is no need, there is no necessity for people to come out. It causes distress.”
With regard to clamping down on antisemitism and any forms of hatred and abuse, we're very clear that the police should take the strongest action where they see that and use the full extent of the law to crack down on criminality— Downing Street spokeswoman
On Friday, a Downing Street spokeswoman said: “We’re clear that people must remain free to peacefully express their views, and protest is an important part of our democracy, but we also recognise that this is clearly a deeply distressing time for many.
“And we would appeal to everyone across the country and those who are considering joining these protests to be mindful of that – and to consider the fear and distress felt by many families in this country over the distressing events that we’ve seen.
“With regard to clamping down on antisemitism and any forms of hatred and abuse, we’re very clear that the police should take the strongest action where they see that and use the full extent of the law to crack down on criminality.”
Tens of thousands of people gathered for pro-Palestinian demonstrations across the UK last weekend amid growing international concern over the conflict in Israel and Gaza.
The Israeli military has relentlessly attacked Gaza in retaliation for Hamas’s devastating attack, which caught the country off-guard during Simchat Torah, a major holiday.
Palestinian militants, meanwhile, have fired daily rocket barrages into Israel.
A further march starting at Marble Arch has been planned for Saturday, while the Board of Deputies has organised a London rally for Sunday in solidarity with hostages taken by Hamas and the hostages’ families.
At a roundtable discussion with Jewish and Muslim faith leaders, London Mayor Sadiq Khan said “too many” Londoners have experienced trauma personally as a result of the situation in Israel and Gaza.
“I’ve had too many Londoners who have experienced the trauma in Israel personally and too many Londoners who have experienced the heartbreak of what’s happened in Gaza personally as well,” he said.
“I’m sure I speak for all of us when I say were truly heartbroken at what’s happening in Israel and Gaza.”
Jonny Newton of the Community Security Trust said the number of antisemitic incidents reported to the organisation since the attack had been “unprecedented” and as of Thursday night represented an increase of 700% on the corresponding period last year.
He said the vulnerability felt by many in the Jewish community at the moment was heightened by the expression of “jubilation” among a vocal minority since October 7, adding: “Surely it can’t be that difficult to show solidarity with the Palestinian people and not demonstrate support for a proscribed terror organisation or engage in antisemitism.”
Mr Newton said the attacks “dredged up inter-generational trauma and pain”.
Iman Atta, director of Tell Mama, said there had been a spike in reports of Islamophobic behaviour since October 7.
In one case, a Muslim woman was threatened on the London Underground with a gesture “suggesting that her throat was going to be cut”, she said, while other victims were told to “f*** off back to Palestine”.
“I’m sure you will accept that such anti-Muslim hate has no place in London and in our country, just as antisemitism should be challenged and stamped out where we come across it,” she said.
