Arab Canada News

News

The British Home Secretary accuses the police of bias towards pro-Palestinian protesters...

The British Home Secretary accuses the police of bias towards pro-Palestinian protesters...

By Omayma othmani

Published: November 9, 2023

British Home Secretary Suella Braverman accused the London police of being "more lenient" with pro-Palestinian protesters, compared to how they deal with right-wing protesters or football hooligans.

In an unusual attack on the police, Braverman said that the London police ignore law-breaking by "pro-Palestinian mobs," describing protesters demanding a ceasefire in Gaza as participating in "hate marches."

She also added: "There is a perception that senior police officers show some form of favoritism when it comes to pro-Palestinian protesters," and described the demonstrations as "an affirmation of the priority of certain groups," considering that "terrorists have been valorized and Israel demonized."

Pro-Palestinian protests are organized in London and other British cities every Saturday since the war started more than a month ago.

The government criticized the organizers of these demonstrations for planning to hold a march next Saturday, which coincides with "Armistice Day," the anniversary of the end of World War I, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak labeled it as "provocation and disrespect."

But after summoning the London police chief, Mark Rowley, for talks, Sunak said the government supports "the right to peaceful protest."

The police also say they have arrested nearly 200 people across London on charges related to the Gaza war, including 98 suspected of committing anti-Semitic crimes, and 21 accused of alleged crimes against Muslims.

It is worth noting that protests in Britain can only be banned if they cause serious disturbances.

The police said the situation had not reached that level despite their concern about the possibility of "splinter groups wanting to incite chaos," including far-right activists.

Comments

Related