PM confirms plan for new powers to crack down on antisemitic pro-Palestine chants
At press conference, Keir Starmer says 'we need to go further' in tackling chants from some pro-Palestine activists
Keir Starmer has confirmed that the government plans to introduce new powers enabling police to crack down on antisemitic chants used by some pro-Palestine activists at protests.
The Prime Minister, currently on a trade mission in India, was questioned about the government’s response after protesters defied calls to stand down demonstrations on Tuesday, the second anniversary of the October 7 Hamas massacre.
Starmer referenced ongoing work by Shabana Mahmood to review protest laws, saying: “I’ve asked the Home Secretary to look more broadly at what other powers are available, how they’re being used, and whether they should be changed in any way.”
He added, “I think we need to go further than that in relation to some of the chants that are going on at these protests.”
Starmer also hinted that police forces could take further steps themselves. “That has to be part of the review that we carry into what powers do we have and how they’re being exercised. And then the question of do any of these powers therefore need to be changed or enhanced?
“And that’s the exercise we’re going through. But we are talking at length to leaders of the Jewish community about this, as you would expect.”
He said the review would take in all of the government’s current powers over public order. “I think we need to review more broadly public order powers and there will be a aseries of actions that we will agree in due course across Whitehall.”
Over the weekend, the Home Secretary announced that police would be given greater powers to restrict protests, including the ability to consider the “cumulative impact” of repeated demonstrations.
She said large-scale pro-Gaza protests had caused “considerable fear” within the Jewish community.
The Home Secretary also pledged to review existing legislation to ensure police powers are sufficient and consistently applied, including the possibility of banning protests outright.
Students participated in protests at universities in London, Sheffield, Edinburgh, and other locations, dismissing claims by the Prime Minister that such actions were “un-British.”
Chants reported at these protests included, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”
Many in the Jewish community argue that the slogan is antisemitic, as it calls for the eradication of Israel, the world’s only Jewish state.
Supporters of the chant claim they are simply calling for an end to conflict in Gaza and the West Bank.
The protests coincided with heightened tensions following the attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester less than a week earlier, in which Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, killed two men—Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66—on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
Writing in The Times before the protests, Sir Keir described their timing as “un-British” and showing “little respect for others.”
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey also criticised the planned marches.
Universities UK had encouraged students and staff involved in the protests to remain mindful of the sensitivity of the October 7 anniversary.
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.
