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LONDON: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned the “violent, wholly unacceptable scenes” seen around a pro-Palestinian march in London on Saturday, including from far-right protesters who clashed with the police.
Far-right groups had gathered in a counter-demonstration because the pro-Palestinian protest clashed with Armistice Day.
“What we have seen today does not defend the honour of our armed forces, but utterly disrespects them,” Sunak said in a statement, posted on X.
“That is true for EDL (English Defence League) thugs attacking police officers and trespassing on the Cenotaph, and it is true for those singing antisemitic chants and brandishing pro-Hamas signs and clothing on today’s protest.”
“The fear and intimidation the Jewish Community have experienced over the weekend is deplorable. All criminality must be met with the full and swift force of the law. That is what I told the Met Police Commissioner on Wednesday, that is what they are accountable for and that is what I expect,” the PM said in the statement.
He will be meeting the Met Police Commissioner in the coming days, as per the statement.
In the protest over 300,000 pro-Palestinian demonstrators came out in support in central London on Saturday, with police arresting nearly 100 far-right counter-protesters to stop them ambushing the main rally.
Skirmishes broke out between police and the far-right groups gathered to protest against the demonstration taking place on Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of World War One, when Britain commemorates its war dead.
The police said they had arrested 82 counter-protesters to try to keep the peace. Another 10 arrests were made for other offences.
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said on social media that the counter-protesters had seemed “intent on confrontation and intent on violence”.
(With inputs from agency)
Far-right groups had gathered in a counter-demonstration because the pro-Palestinian protest clashed with Armistice Day.
“What we have seen today does not defend the honour of our armed forces, but utterly disrespects them,” Sunak said in a statement, posted on X.
“That is true for EDL (English Defence League) thugs attacking police officers and trespassing on the Cenotaph, and it is true for those singing antisemitic chants and brandishing pro-Hamas signs and clothing on today’s protest.”
“The fear and intimidation the Jewish Community have experienced over the weekend is deplorable. All criminality must be met with the full and swift force of the law. That is what I told the Met Police Commissioner on Wednesday, that is what they are accountable for and that is what I expect,” the PM said in the statement.
He will be meeting the Met Police Commissioner in the coming days, as per the statement.
In the protest over 300,000 pro-Palestinian demonstrators came out in support in central London on Saturday, with police arresting nearly 100 far-right counter-protesters to stop them ambushing the main rally.
Skirmishes broke out between police and the far-right groups gathered to protest against the demonstration taking place on Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of World War One, when Britain commemorates its war dead.
The police said they had arrested 82 counter-protesters to try to keep the peace. Another 10 arrests were made for other offences.
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said on social media that the counter-protesters had seemed “intent on confrontation and intent on violence”.
(With inputs from agency)
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