House Secretary Suella Braverman has mentioned she expects the police to “use the total pressure of the legislation” in opposition to shows of assist for Hamas after movies emerged of individuals showing to have a good time the assault on Israel.
Metropolitan Police patrols have been elevated in London after the pressure was urged to intervene by immigration minister Robert Jenrickwho shared a video posted on social media by Countdown presenter Rachel Riley after Hamas launched its greatest assault in years on Israel.
Riley posted on X on Saturday saying she handed two vehicles in west London driving with Palestinian flags flying from every window, “bouncing up and down of their vehicles” and “seemingly celebrating like they have been having a celebration”.
She later posted a video which confirmed individuals waving Palestinian flags, beeping automotive horns and clapping in Acton.
House Secretary Suella Braverman posted on X, previously referred to as Twitter, on Sunday morning, saying: “At any time when Israel is attacked, Islamists and different racists use Israeli defensive measures as a pretext to fire up hatred in opposition to British Jews.
“Yesterday I spoke with @CST_UK (Neighborhood Safety Belief) to make sure the Authorities is doing every thing mandatory for the safety of our Jewish communities.
“There have to be zero tolerance for antisemitism or glorification of terrorism on the streets of Britain.
“I anticipate the police to make use of the total pressure of the legislation in opposition to shows of assist for Hamas, different proscribed terrorist teams or makes an attempt to intimidate British Jews.”
The Met Police mentioned on Sunday afternoon no arrests had been made however officers attended “a small variety of low-level public order incidents in numerous components of London”.
The pressure added that numerous protests have been deliberate, together with a Cease The Battle protest because of be held on Monday night on the Israeli Embassy, and officers can be there “primarily to make sure protests go off peacefully” however will make arrests if they think a felony offence has been dedicated.
Riley’s put up on the social media website mentioned: “Acton, half an hour in the past. Popped into a restaurant for some baklava with the youngsters and our Ukrainian pals.
“Folks have been brutally murdered, kidnapped and there are individuals in London dancing.
“Simply had a reassuring name with the police, if anybody is scared, please name them.”
She added on the social media website: “Most individuals perceive that is an abomination. No-one ought to cheer struggle and dying.”
Talking at an occasion on the Labour Get together Convention, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan condemned the Hamas assaults and mentioned it was vital they didn’t “spill over” into elevated hate crime in London.
He mentioned: “Hamas is a proscribed organisation. What they’ve finished within the final 24 hours in Israel, inflicting the dying and damage of tons of, is unacceptable and it’s received to be condemned and I do condemn that.
“We’ve additionally received to recognise the historical past of disturbances within the Center East, it usually spills over into a rise in hate crime in our metropolis.
“I’ve been in common contact with the police during the last 24 hours, and communities in London who’re feeling scared and susceptible and frightened, and there are elevated officers current throughout London to reassure communities.”
Requested whether or not he condemned Londoners waving flags in assist of Hamas, he added: “Waving the flag of Hamas is in opposition to the legislation. Hamas is proscribed and the police are ensuring that they implement the legislation.
“There’s clearly a distinction with the precise to freedom of protest and so forth, however no person likes to see individuals scared as a consequence of the actions of others.”
Outstanding barrister Charlotte Proudman additionally posted a video of a automotive with Palestinian flags sounding its horn.
She wrote: “Celebrating the murders and kidnapping of Israelis is sort of probably probably the most heinous act of public hate I’ve seen on the streets of London.”
Mr Jenrick shared Riley’s put up on X, the location previously referred to as Twitter, and mentioned: “These disgusting individuals are glorifying the terrorist actions of Hamas, a proscribed organisation.
“There isn’t any place for this within the UK.
“I belief @metpoliceuk can be taking this critically.”
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Valentine, answerable for policing London on Sunday, mentioned: “We’re conscious that this battle has a far-reaching impression on communities around the globe, and we prolong our full assist to these affected in London.
“We’re listening and dealing with communities and companions to make sure individuals really feel secure and guarded. We ask that members of the general public report something regarding, equivalent to threatening behaviour.
“We’re conscious that numerous demonstrations and protests are deliberate. We now have spoken to the organisers and we anticipate these will go off peacefully. Nevertheless, we’ll take a zero tolerance method to any exercise which crosses the traces into criminality.”
The Neighborhood Safety Belief (CST), a charity that protects British Jews from antisemitism and associated threats, mentioned it has been in dialogue with the Met Police and Authorities since Saturday morning to make sure the “acceptable ranges of safety and policing are in place in Jewish group areas”.
Dave Wealthy, director of coverage at CST, mentioned: “Expertise tells us that as conflicts in Israel and Gaza escalate, we’ll see a spike in antisemitic hate crimes in Britain.
“Our recommendation to the Jewish group is to report any examples of antisemitism or suspicious behaviour round Jewish buildings to the police instantly after which to CST.”
He added: “Over the last massive battle between Israel and Gaza in Could 2021, one of many issues that precipitated probably the most anger and concern in Jewish communities was automotive convoys waving flags.
“We hope what occurred on Saturday evening isn’t a sign that we’re going to see the identical factor once more as that will be extraordinarily damaging to group relations.
“We sort of settle for it as regular that when there’s battle, we see an increase in antisemitism in Britain – we shouldn’t settle for it as regular, it ought to by no means be acceptable.”
A bunch referred to as the Palestine Solidarity Marketing campaign has referred to as for individuals to attend an “emergency” demonstration on Monday outdoors the Israeli embassy.