Palestinian-supporting protests labeled 'not in keeping with British values' in the wake of Manchester attack, British interior minister declares

Protest scene Media Agency

Britain's Home Secretary expressed disappointment that pro-Palestinian demonstrations went ahead on Thursday evening following the terrorist incident that took the lives of two men outside a Jewish place of worship in Manchester.

The top security official also appealed to protesters to "step back" from plans to organize marches in the next few days.

"I do think that continuing in this fashion appears contrary to British values, it feels misguided," the minister commented concerning protests scheduled for this weekend.

Protesters in central London protesting the Israel's naval forces intercepting a aid convoy carrying aid to the Gaza Strip had confrontations with police officers near Downing Street on Thursday evening.

Substantial groups holding flags of Palestine and banners could be spotted on Whitehall into the night.

London's Metropolitan Police stated that fourty individuals had been arrested. A half-dozen of those arrested were charged with attacks against police officers.

"It's essential to establish separation between events unfolding in the Middle Eastern region and situations developing at home," the minister stated during a morning news program on Friday.

"I would say to people who are intending to join a protest is to reconsider briefly for a short while, and consider if you had lost a family member to a terror attack in this country," she continued.

There were "robust" powers to protect the right to demonstrate, she noted, but they could be set aside on the advice of the police.

"I can act based from the police, if they were to tell me there was an inability to manage and to police the protests, then there are legal measures that are accessible," she explained.

Community leaders express apprehensions

The UK's Chief Rabbi remarked that many members of the Jewish community wondered why marches in support of Palestinian advocacy groups had been allowed to occur.

The organization was banned as a terror group in the summer. At various protests following the ban, hundreds have been arrested for demonstrating backing for the organization, which has won permission to contest the proscription.

"A portion of them feature blatant antisemitism, outright backing for the militant group. Not all participants, however there is so much of such content, which clearly poses dangerous to many within our society," the religious leader stated.

"You cannot separate the rhetoric on our public spaces, the conduct of people in this manner, and what ultimately follows, which was yesterday's terrorist attack."

He also called on the administration "once more", to "take control on these demonstrations, they are dangerous."

Christopher Flores
Christopher Flores

A certified wellness expert with over 10 years of experience in spa management and holistic therapies, passionate about promoting health and relaxation.

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