Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Russia leaves intergovernmental agreement with countries of Euro-Arctic region on cooperation in emergency prevention and response: Moscow
PIJ: These reports aim to sow discord and incite against our Palestinian people and the camps
PIJ: We deny reports that the movement is strengthening its capabilities in Syria
Taiwan’s President: Taiwan will adopt a self-defense strategy to confront China’s threats.
Taiwan’s President: “One country, two regimes” is a red line for Taiwan.
Taiwan’s President: Beijing continues to increase military drills and gray zone harassment near Taiwan.
Palestinian sources: Apache helicopters open fire over Tubas in northern West Bank.
No specific date for a ceasefire in Ukraine, Trump says.
Witkoff will meet Putin in Moscow next week, Trump says
Trump: The 28-point plan for Ukraine is but a map.

Sunak pressuring UK police to ban pro-Palestinian rally

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 8 Nov 2023 18:37
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

UK’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak bashes the Metropolitan Police Commissioner for approving Saturday’s protest in solidarity with Gaza.

  • x
  • People walk down Regent Street as they take part in a 'March For Palestine' in London on October 14, 2023. (AFP)
    People walk down Regent Street as they take part in a "March For Palestine" in London on October 14, 2023 (AFP)

The British government put increasing pressure on police to ban a pro-Palestinian demonstration that was set to be held in London on Armistice Day, Saturday, November 11.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he would hold the Metropolitan Police commissioner "accountable" for approving this Saturday's protest in solidarity with Palestine.

Tens of thousands of people are anticipated to demonstrate in the capital of Britain to call for an end to the Israeli aggression, which has been going on for a month.

The head of the Conservative Party claims that a march on Armistice Day would be "provocative and disrespectful." 

Met Police chief Mark Rowley has said the rally, organized by the Stop the War Coalition, does not meet the threshold for requesting a government order to stop it from going ahead.

Rowley said such a ban was "incredibly rare" and a "last resort" where there is a serious threat of disorder.

"The events taking place this weekend are of great significance and importance to our nation," he said in a statement.

"We will do everything in our power to ensure they pass without disruption."

Jarring contradictions 

Earlier in a contradictory statement, Rowley declared that his forces will be “absolutely ruthless” during pro-Palestine protests, but said prosecutions would only happen when the law is broken.

During his interview on Sky News’ Trevor Phillips On Sunday show, Rowley claimed that “many more” arrests are due in the coming weeks.

“We will robustly enforce up to the line of the law,” he said, adding, “We’re going to be absolutely ruthless and we have been and you’ll see many more arrests over the next week or so.”

This statement came a day after around 100,000 pro-Palestinian activists marched through downtown London demanding that the British government call a ceasefire after "Israel's" military expanded its air and ground strikes on Gaza. 

Think again

Rowley and Sunak were scheduled to meet on Wednesday, but government officials advised the commissioner to reconsider.

"There is a legal threshold and the commissioner is of the view that that legal threshold has not been met," Health Secretary Steve Barclay told Sky News.

"Obviously, the Home Office and colleagues will discuss that over the course of the day."

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said in a radio interview that police should keep the protest "under review".

It is worth noting that organizers have affirmed avoiding the Whitehall area of central London where the Cenotaph -- the focal point of Remembrance Sunday -- is situated.

As the UK is busy commemorating those who died in WW1 amid a war of words between its officials, “Israel” killed 10,569 Palestinians, including 4,324 children in Gaza, and the genocide is ongoing.

In recent days, the UK's unwavering support for "Israel" has manifested through aggressive police action against pro-Palestinian demonstrators, the banning of solidarity events and rallies across the country, anti-Palestinian smear campaigns in the media, and steadfast endorsements of "Israel's right to defend itself." 

Furthermore, the UK Home Office is developing plans that could result in the expulsion of foreign students, academics, and workers for either expressing support for the Palestinian Resistance or criticizing the ongoing Israeli aggression.

Read next: UK's SOAS suspends students over Palestine solidarity rally

  • Gaza Strip
  • Occupied Palestine
  • Mark Rowley
  • Palestine
  • Rishi Sunak
  • UK
  • Gaza
  • Metropolitan Police Commissioner
  • occ
  • Met Police

Most Read

Hezbollah announces the martyrdom of Haitham al-Tabatabai

Hezbollah announces the martyrdom of commander Haitham Tabatabai

  • West Asia
  • 23 Nov 2025
Hezbollah publishes biography of martyred leader Haitham al-Tabatabai

Hezbollah publishes biography of martyred leader Haitham Tabatabai

  • Politics
  • 23 Nov 2025
The West delivers 1,000th military supply aircraft to 'Israel' since the Gaza genocide.

West sends 1,000th arms aircraft to 'Israel' since Gaza genocide

  • Palestine
  • 20 Nov 2025
Hezbollah releases the names of the four martyred with Tabatabai

Hezbollah releases the names of the 4 martyred alongside Tabatabai

  • West Asia
  • 24 Nov 2025

Coverage

All
In Five

Read Next

All
Bolsonaro begins 27-year sentence for coup plotting and conspiracy
Politics

Bolsonaro begins 27-year sentence for coup plotting, conspiracy

Maduro leads a bicentennial ceremony honoring Bolivar’s Sword of Peru.
Politics

Maduro leads bicentennial ceremony honoring Bolivar’s Sword of Peru

The Knesset advances a bill allowing Israelis to own property in the occupied West Bank.
Politics

Knesset advances bill allowing Israelis to 'own property' in West Bank

From Alps to Andes: Fast climate shifts endanger water, biodiversity
Environment

From Alps to Andes: Fast climate shifts endanger water, biodiversity

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS