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

The home secretary has stated that the decision by pro-Palestinian groups to go ahead with protests demanding an halt to the war in Gaza following Thursday's lethal attack at a synagogue in Manchester was "deeply un-British".

Shabana Mahmood further added she would ask anyone considering attending such events to stop and think how they would feel if a family member was killed on the most sacred day of their faith.

When more details emerged about the perpetrator, recognized by authorities as Jihad al-Shamie, Mahmood stated he was not on the radar of anti-terror authorities and had not been directed to the UK's de-radicalization program.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed that Adrian Daulby, 53 and Melvin Cravitz, 66 died after the attacker rammed a crowd of individuals outside Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation before stabbing another man. Three people remained in treatment while three other people detained by law enforcement stayed in detention.

The home secretary used a morning broadcast round to state that Britain had experienced a "rising tide of antisemitism", adding that the administration would "not accept that" as she attempted to comfort the Jewish population in the UK.

Safety protocols would be examined, she confirmed.

In response to questions about what others had described as a atmosphere of anxiety that British Jews have faced, particularly since last year's Middle East violence in 2023 and the beginning of the war in Gaza, she remarked there was "definitely great worry about situations in the region but our priority is making sure our residents here at home are protected".

Discussing pro-Gaza rallies that proceeded on Thursday, she added, "I felt considerable concern to see those demonstrations going ahead last night. I think that action is fundamentally un-British. I think it is disrespectful. I would have preferred those individuals to just take a step back."

"The issues that are driving those protests have been persisting for a period. They don't appear they are going to conclude any time soon. They could have allowed a group that has suffered just a day or two to deal with what has happened," remarked the minister.

"To anybody who is planning going on a rally what I would suggest is imagine that is you who has had a family member murdered on the most sacred day of your beliefs," she stated.

"We can return to your protest later. Just because you have the liberty to demonstrate doesn't mean you have to use it," said the home secretary.

"I maintain my request for people to show some love and some solidarity to the loved ones of those who have been lost and to our British Jews."

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

The focus has now turned to the capital, where coordinators of protests calling for a ban on Palestine Action to be removed have declared they plan to go ahead with a planned action on Saturday.