CAMPAIGNERS have hit back at Sir Keir Starmer’s latest threats to ban some pro-Palestine marches, saying restrictions would “strike at the root of free assembly and free speech.”

The Prime Minister told BBC Radio 4’s Today on Saturday “there are instances” in which he supports a moratorium on peace demonstrations.

“I think it’s time to look across the board at protests and the cumulative effect,” he said. “I think it’s time for, I would say, some people protesting to just reflect on what the Jewish community is going through and the overall impact that this is having.”

Stop the War coalition co-founder John Rees said the PM’s comments were a “threat” to the massive marches the coalition has helped organise since the start of Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza.

A ban would “strike at the root of free assembly and free speech in this country,” he told Sky News.

He also warned the PM against “completely fallacious” conflations of pro-Palestine demonstrations and attacks on Jewish people, such as last week’s knife attack in Golders Green.

Mr Rees said of the man charged with three counts of attempted murder after last Wednesday’s north London stabbing: “These kinds of individuals are not attached to the Palestine movement.

“They are not attached to the marches. There’s no evidence that they’ve ever seen a march, let alone been on one, or that the organisers would for a second condone it.

“We have to be absolutely clear here, there is no threat whatsoever to the Jewish community from these marches.

“In fact, they are attended by thousands of Jewish people who disapprove of the actions of the government and disapprove of the actions of the state of Israel.”

He added: “As long as the wars continue, as long as the killing continues, people will want to say to this government, you’re complicit in this, and you should stop.

Stand Up To Racism co-convener Weyman Bennett said, “it is not anti-racist or Palestine demonstrations that should be the cause for concern.”

“After two summers of far right violence outside refugee accommodation – the most recent outburst in Epsom – and the riot at the last [Tommy] Robinson mobilisation in Central London – it’s the far-right that are by far the biggest threat,” he said.

“In the face of growing far-right activity and violence, we are taking to the streets on May 16, both to oppose them and in solidarity with Palestine.”