“Complete and Immediate Legal Response Required for All Criminal Activities,” Sunak Remarks on Violence at Pro-Palestine Rallies in the UK

Addressing the violence during pro-Palestinian rallies on Armistice Day in the UK, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak emphasized that all criminal activities must face the full and swift force of the law. He labeled the incident as “unacceptable” and condemned the violence, expressing his disapproval of the fear and intimidation experienced by the Jewish community over the weekend.

Sunak stated that he conveyed to the Metropolitan Police Commissioner the need for a robust response to criminality, holding them accountable for enforcing the law. He also denounced the violent scenes involving the English Defence League (EDL) and associated groups, as well as Hamas sympathizers at the National March for Palestine, describing their actions as undermining those expressing their views peacefully.

The Prime Minister highlighted the significance of the “remembrance weekend” as a time for the community to honor those who fought for the nation. He stressed that the actions witnessed during the protests did not defend the honor of the Armed Forces but disrespected them.

Earlier, Sunak had condemned antisemitism in response to pro-Palestine protests, stating that hate on the streets, including calls for Jihad, posed a threat not only to the Jewish community but also to democratic values. He expressed zero tolerance for antisemitism and called for necessary police action to address extremism.

Sunak had previously visited Israel after the October 7 Hamas attacks, expressing the UK’s support for Israel’s right to defend itself within international law while acknowledging the Palestinian people as victims of Hamas. During his visit, he extended deep condolences to the British people and emphasized solidarity with Israel in challenging circumstances. Other world leaders, including US President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, also visited Israel in the aftermath of its conflict with Hamas.