Home Secretary Suella Braverman: “Islamists and other racists seek to use legitimate Israeli defensive measures as a pretext to stir up hatred against British Jews”

Following the unprovoked assault on Israel, which has left as many as 1,000 Israelis – mostly civilians, including children – dead, UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman has written to Chief Constables England and Wales outlining the threat to the security of Britain’s Jewish community from primarily far-left political activists and Islamists.

“Experience indicates that whenever Israel is attacked, Islamists and other racists, seek to use legitimate Israeli defensive measures as a pretext to stir up hatred against British Jews and increase fear within the Jewish community,” she said.

“In the past, this has included vandalism of Jewish businesses, desecration of memorials and religious sites, physical and verbal abuse of Jews on the streets, convoys driving through Jewish neighbourhoods hurling antisemitic abuse, and proliferation of antisemitism online.

“There is an obvious risk that this pattern will be repeated during the current conflict.

“I know that increased visibility of patrols, as well as a swift and zero tolerance approach to antisemitism, will provide our Jewish communities with reassurance that the police are taking this threat seriously and will be there to protect them if need be.

“As you know, Hamas is a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK in its entirety. It is therefore a criminal offence for a person in the UK to:

• belong to Hamas
• invite support for Hamas
• express support for Hamas whilst being reckless as to whether the expression will encourage support of it
• arrange a meeting in support of Hamas
• wear clothing or carry articles in public which arouse reasonable suspicion that an individual is a member or supporter of Hamas or
• publish an image of an article such as a flag or logo in the same circumstances

UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman

‘At a time when Hamas terrorists are massacring civilians and taking the most vulnerable (including the elderly, women, and children) hostage, we can all recognise the harrowing effect that displays of their logos and flags can have on communities. I therefore ask that your police forces are alert and ready to respond to any potential offences.

‘Of course, it is not just explicit pro-Hamas symbols and chants that are cause for concern. I would encourage police to consider whether chants such as “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” should be understood as an expression of a violent desire to see Israel erased from the world, and whether its use in certain contexts may amount to a racially aggravated section 5 public order offence.’

She continued: There can be no place for antisemitism or glorification of terrorism on the streets of Britain. I therefore expect the police to use the full force of the law against displays of support for Hamas, other proscribed terrorist groups or attempts to harass and intimidate British Jews.”

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