JEWISH campaigners accused the government of exploiting fear for its own political purposes today.
The backlash came after the government’s counter-extremism commissioner said London has become a “no-go zone for Jews” during weekend pro-Palestinian marches. Around 145,000 Jews live in the city.
Robin Simcox, previously a Margaret Thatcher fellow at the neo-conservative Heritage Foundation, said protests were “becoming ever more vociferous” in an article in the Daily Telegraph.
He said that the government had “more power to tackle extremism than it sometimes thinks” and that it should “move faster, be bolder and be willing to accept higher legal risk if it means implementing policies that keep us safer.”
In response, Downing Street said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was taking the concerns “extremely seriously.”
But Naomi Wimborne-Idrissi, of Jewish Voice for Labour, said: “Anyone who values democratic rights and liberties should be fearful of the threat contained in Simcox’s words.
“This government is going beyond mere inflammatory rhetoric, which is dangerous in itself, to promoting active limitations on dissent, exploiting Jewish fears for its own political purposes.
“Instead of listening to a range of Jewish opinions the government is recklessly stoking the flames, normalising extreme, right-wing, Islamophobic views.”
Stop the War Coalition national officer John Rees said it was “irresponsible” of the government to whip up unnecessary fear.
On BBC Radio 4, Mr Rees referenced an Evening Standard newspaper front page which said Jewish people are considering fleeing London.
He said: “Of course, if the government decides to whip up that kind of fear, then people are going to feel that, of course they are.
“But it’s absolutely irresponsible of Rishi Sunak and it’s absolutely irresponsible of the Evening Standard to have run those kind of headlines and to frighten a population in London that has absolutely no reason to be frightened.
“There have been two pro-Israeli marches in London during this period. Absolutely nothing happened to stop their right to march.
“There was no Palestinian counter-demonstration, there was no abuse from Palestinian supporters.”
This week, John Woodcock, the government’s “independent” adviser on political violence and disruption, said Mr Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer should instruct MPs and councillors “not to engage with anyone” from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign until they “cut the hate from their marches.”
The government is expected to set out a new, broader, definition of extremism as early as next week, which may ban government officials of engaging with or funding groups or individuals they deem “extremist.”
The Muslim Council of Britain and Palestine Action are reportedly among groups identified.
The 10th national demonstration for a ceasefire in Gaza will take place in London tomorrow, as the death toll from Israel’s strikes tops 30,000.
Singer-songwriter Charlotte Church is to join an all-women lineup of speakers outside the US embassy on Nine Elms.
Labour MP Zarah Sultana, PCS general secretary Fran Heathcoate, Leanne Mohamad — the British Palestinian set to run against Wes Streeting at the general election — and Stop the War convener Lindsey German will also speak.
Ahead of the rally CND general secretary Kate Hudson said: “As always our demonstration will be inclusive and welcoming of all faiths and backgrounds.
“The Jewish bloc on our marches is a powerful and highly respected presence, helping to strengthen our collective humanity, setting a clear example of support for our essential values of peace and justice at a time when it is so badly needed.”
Ms Wimborne-Idrissi said: “Over and over again, Jews who oppose Israel’s war on Gaza have made clear that demonstrations calling for an end to ethnic cleansing pose no threat to Jewish people in the UK.
“On the contrary, Jews are warmly embraced by the vast majority of protesters of all faiths and ethnicities.
“There is certainly a rising racist threat to minority communities in the UK, including Jews, but it comes from the right of the political spectrum and is directed primarily at Muslims and Travellers.”
Non-affiliated peer Baroness Uddin said she hopes the marches will “yield peace and justice,” adding the cause of Palestine has been “awakened in the hearts of all citizens throughout the nations.”
She said the British government is “complicit with Israel’s breaking of international laws.”
In a message to Mr Sunak, Lady Uddin said: “The PM should rest assured that no marches shall stop until that slaughter stops.”
