Prime Minister Considers Restrictions on Certain Protests
The prime minister has indicated that there may be grounds to prohibit some protests, following appeals for a pause on pro-Palestinian marches.
When questioned about whether he supported stricter policing of language used during protests or a complete halt to some demonstrations, Sir Keir Starmer told BBC Radio 4's Today programme:
"I think certainly the first, and I think there are instances for the latter."
Sir Keir emphasized his commitment to defending the right to protest but expressed concern about the "cumulative" impact of repeated marches on the Jewish community.
Context of Recent Violence and Government Response
This statement follows the stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green, north London, on Wednesday. Essa Suleiman, 45, appeared in court on Friday charged with attempted murder related to the incident.
The police have classified the attack as a terror incident, marking it as the latest in a series of violent acts targeting Jewish individuals.
Last year, the government commissioned a review of public order and hate crime legislation after two Jewish people were killed in an attack outside a synagogue in Manchester. Although the review was expected to be published in February, it has not yet been released.
Calls for Moratorium on Pro-Palestinian Marches
Earlier this week, Jonathan Hall, the government's independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, advocated for a "moratorium" on pro-Palestinian marches. He stated that it was "clearly impossible at the moment" for these protests "not to incubate within them some sort of antisemitic or demonising language."
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis also urged a temporary ban on the marches following the Golders Green attack, telling the BBC that the protests had contributed to a "tone of Jew hatred within our country."
Regarding the call for a moratorium, Sir Keir remarked:
"I think it's time to look across the board at protests and the cumulative effect."
He further explained:
"In relation to the repeated nature of the marches, many people in the Jewish community have said to me, it's the repeat nature, it's the cumulative effect. Now, I accept that, which is why we intend to deal with cumulative effects."
When pressed on whether some protests should be stopped entirely, the prime minister stated:
"We need to look at what further powers we can take."
Defending Right to Peaceful Protest
Addressing concerns about linking protests to attacks on Jewish people, Sir Keir said:
"I will defend the right of peaceful protest very strongly and freedom of speech."
He added:
"I'm not saying, of course, that there aren't very strong, legitimate views about the Middle East, about Gaza. We all have deep concerns about it."
Responses from Activist Groups and Political Figures
Jonathan Hall's call for a moratorium has been criticized by the Stop the War Coalition, a campaign group involved in organizing several previous marches. The group condemned "all forms of antisemitism and racism" but argued it was "wrong" to link the marches to attacks on Jewish people.
In reaction to Sir Keir's interview with Today, Green Party leader Zack Polanski accused the prime minister of "using the pain and fear of Jewish people to threaten further authoritarian restrictions on peaceful protest." He added:
"This would be the worst response to the attacks in Golders Green and would just produce more division when it's the job of responsible leaders to bring people together."
The Liberal Democrats stated that protests "should only be going ahead when they are safe to happen and police must scrutinise every case." Max Wilkinson MP, the party's home affairs spokesperson, said:
"Wherever marches do go ahead, we cannot let them be hijacked by individuals engaging in antisemitic abuse and, in some cases, inciting violence against Jews. Police must be out in force and properly trained and equipped to identify offences quickly and act with confidence to make arrests. We absolutely support the police taking strong action to keep British Jews safe."
Jeremy Corbyn's Your Party also warned that the response to the "abhorrent" attacks should not restrict civil liberties.
The Conservatives and Reform UK have urged the government to adopt a tougher stance on the demonstrations.
Legal Powers and Recent Government Actions
Police forces in England and Wales have the authority to restrict protests under certain conditions, such as specifying a particular route or setting an end time. They may seek to ban marches outright if these measures are insufficient to prevent "serious public disorder," but such bans require home secretary approval and are infrequently used.
Last month, the government approved a request from the Metropolitan Police to ban the Al Quds Day march in London, marking the first protest march ban since 2012.
Concerns Over Protest Chants and Language
Sir Keir also addressed chants like "globalise the intifada"—a phrase derived from an Arabic term for uprising—describing them as "very dangerous" to the Jewish community and stating they should be subject to prosecution.
He said:
"If you are on a march or a protest where people are chanting, 'globalise the intifada', you do have to stop and ask yourself, why am I not calling this out? Why am I on a march where this is the chant?"
The term "intifada" gained prominence during the Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip in 1987. Jewish groups have characterized the term as a call for violence against Jewish people, while pro-Palestinian groups argue it signifies peaceful resistance to Israeli occupation and actions in Gaza.
In December, the Metropolitan Police and Greater Manchester Police announced they would adjust their approach to the slogan following an attack at a Jewish festival on Australia's Bondi Beach, stating they would arrest individuals using it in chants or on placards.
Community Concerns and Government Measures
Sir Keir was also questioned about criticism from the Jewish community regarding the government's efforts to ensure their safety. During a visit to Golders Green on Thursday, he was heckled by protesters chanting "Keir Starmer, Jew Harmer."
He acknowledged:
"The depth of feeling" and that many Jews were "feeling very scared," adding, "I'm not here to criticise that in any way."
However, Sir Keir maintained:
"It's not right to say we haven't done anything."
He highlighted enhanced police security in areas such as Golders Green, noting it "has been in place for some time." The government has also announced increased funding to protect Jewish communities.
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