Sunak pressuring UK police to ban pro-Palestinian rally

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
8 Nov 2023 18:37
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UK’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak bashes the Metropolitan Police Commissioner for approving Saturday’s protest in solidarity with Gaza.

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.