Communal organisations welcome new report recommending clampdown on Palestine demos
Lord Walney warns of 'unholy alliance' between far-left and Islamist groups
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Communal organisations have welcomed a report by the government’s adviser on political violence which recommends strengthening the laws around political protests.
Speaking at the launch of a lengthy report containing 41 recommendations for the government to consider, Lord Walney said there had been an “explosion” of antisemitic conduct including threats and intimidation at anti-Israel demos since October 7th.
In response to the publication of the report both the Board of Deputies and the Community Security Trust welcomed the former Labour MP John Woodcock’s findings.
The CST said in a statement there was a need to balance the “right to free speech against protecting communities from harassment” and to prevent the rise of extremism and division.
They said they wished to work with the government to ensure Walney’s recommendations were implemented.
The Board also said the report on ‘Protecting Our Democracy from Coercion’ ” rightly sets out serious concerns with the way in which protests claiming to embody democracy are in fact stifling it.”
https://x.com/BoardofDeputies/status/1792969332701474860
In a series of recommendations, Lord Walney said the Government should restrict protest organisations that use criminal tactics, as well as consider creating protest buffer zones around MPs’ constituency offices and local council chambers.
He noted that many Jewish people were fearful to travel to central London over fears about being targeted by pro-Palestinian protesters.
Speaking to journalists in Westminster Walney argued there was now a “serious blindspot” towards far-left activists entering into what he said was an “unholy alliance” with Islamists.
He singled out protest groups such as Palestine Action and Just Stop Oil, accusing activists linked to them of breaking the law.
Walney, who was introduced by the Counter Extremism Group’s Davis Lewin, argued there was a need for the public order act to be amended to make their activities illegal.
In a fascinating Q&A session at the launch of the report Lord Mandelson, who chaired questioned Lord Walney on how likely his proposals would be to succeed.
https://x.com/CST_UK/status/1792945475907158469
Especially in light of Tuesday’s High Court ruling that the Home Office’s attempt to lower the threshold for serious disruption was unlawful.
“I just think the public is sick of the way in which they feel that their priorities are ignored there is not sufficient deterrent effect in stopping this kind of extreme economic disruption,” said Lord Walney.
He also denied claims made by the journalist Nick Cohen that by recommending sweeping crackdowns on pro-Palestine marches in this country he was engaging in “selective fear-mongering.”
Walney highlighted antisemitism statistics released by the CST, although Cohen said these did not back up claims that antisemitic attacks on Jews occurred as a result of the demos.
Home Secretary James Cleverly has said he would carefully consider Walney’s recommendations.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
