Home Secretary Labels Pro-Palestine Protests Following Manchester Attack as 'Against British Values'

The home secretary has declared that the move by pro-Palestinian groups to go ahead with demonstrations demanding an halt to the war in Gaza following the recent deadly attack at a synagogue in Manchester was "essentially contrary to British principles".

The home secretary further added she would ask anyone thinking about attending such events to stop and think how they would feel if a loved one was taken on the most important religious day of their religion.

While more particulars were revealed about the perpetrator, identified by law enforcement as Jihad al-Shamie, the security official stated he was not on the radar of anti-terror authorities and had not been sent to the British anti-radicalization program.

Law enforcement reported that Adrian Daulby, 53 and Melvin Cravitz, 66 died after the attacker struck a group of persons outside a local synagogue before stabbing another person. Several individuals remained in hospital while additional individuals taken into custody by authorities remained in detention.

The home secretary used a series of media interviews to assert that Britain had seen a "growing surge of anti-Jewish sentiment", emphasizing that the administration would "not stand for that" as she attempted to comfort the Jewish community in the UK.

Safety protocols would be examined, she stated.

In response to questions about what some commentators had characterized as a climate of fear that Jewish people have faced, notably since last year's Middle East violence in 2023 and the start of the fighting in Gaza, she remarked there was "definitely great anxiety about developments in the region but our priority is making sure our residents here at home are secure".

Speaking about pro-Gaza demonstrations that proceeded on Thursday, she commented, "I was very disappointed to see those gatherings going ahead last night. I think that conduct is fundamentally contrary to our principles. I think it is disrespectful. I would have preferred those participants to just take a pause."

"The issues that are motivating those protests have been continuing for a period. They don't appear they are going to conclude any time soon. They could have given a group that has suffered just a short period to deal with what has occurred," added the minister.

"To those who is considering going on a rally what I would say is reflect on that is you who has had a family member taken on the holiest day of your beliefs," she added.

"We can get back to your rally later. Just because you have the right to demonstrate doesn't mean you need to use it," stated the official.

"I continue to urge people to show some love and some support to the loved ones of those who have been killed and to our Jewish population."

She revealed that around 40 people had been detained at the recent demonstrations including some on suspicion of assaulting law enforcement.

The focus has now turned to London, where planners of demonstrations demanding a prohibition on Palestine Action to be removed have said they plan to proceed with a organized gathering on Saturday.