Home Secretary Describes Pro-Palestine Demonstrations Following Manchester Incident as 'Against British Values'

The home secretary has declared that the choice by advocates for Palestine to proceed with demonstrations urging an halt to the fighting in Gaza following Thursday's lethal attack at a synagogue in Manchester was "deeply un-British".

The home secretary additionally remarked she would appeal to anyone thinking about attending similar protests to stop and think how they would react if a close relative was killed on the most sacred day of their faith.

When additional details emerged about the attacker, identified by law enforcement as Jihad al-Shamie, the security official indicated he was not known to counter-terrorism officers and had not been referred to the UK's Prevent program.

Law enforcement reported that a 53-year-old man and a 66-year-old man lost their lives after Shamie drove into a gathering of people outside Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation before stabbing another person. Three people continued to be in treatment while three other people taken into custody by authorities continued in detention.

The security minister used a series of media interviews to state that Britain had seen a "rising tide of prejudice against Jewish people", adding that the authorities would "not stand for that" as she sought to reassure the Jewish population in the UK.

Security arrangements would be assessed, she stated.

In response to questions about what various observers had labeled as a atmosphere of anxiety that the Jewish community have experienced, notably since Hamas's 7 October attacks in 2023 and the commencement of the conflict in Gaza, she stated there was "definitely great anxiety about situations in the Middle East but our primary concern is making sure our people here at home are safe".

Addressing pro-Gaza demonstrations that continued on Thursday, she stated, "I was very disappointed to see those protests going ahead last night. I think that action is deeply against British values. I think it is dishonourable. I would have hoped those people to just take a step back."

"The concerns that are motivating those protests have been going on for some time. They don't appear they are going to finish any time soon. They could have given a community that has been through trauma just a day or two to process what has taken place," remarked Mahmood.

"To those who is planning going on a demonstration what I would suggest is imagine that is you who has had a family member taken on the most sacred day of your religion," she commented.

"We can return to your demonstration later. Just because you have the liberty to rally doesn't mean you must use it," remarked the official.

"I would still call on people to show some empathy and some unity to the loved ones of those who have been lost and to our Jewish population."

She confirmed that around 40 people had been taken into custody at Thursday's protests including some on allegations of harming law enforcement.

The focus has now shifted to the capital, where planners of demonstrations demanding a prohibition on Palestine Action to be removed have said they aim to go ahead with a planned action on the weekend.