UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman told senior police officers Wednesday to watch for Palestinian flags and chants as they might be a criminal offence. .Since the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel Saturday, Palestine supporters worldwide have been gathering in town squares to celebrate the slaughter of hundreds of Jews, many inciting further violence. .Now, doing so may be a criminal offence in the UK. Braverman sent a letter to top law enforcement officials to clampdown on flags, chants, songs and any other paraphernalia fomenting hatred towards the Jews such as swastikas. .Braverman, who sent the letter to chief constables in England and Wales, wrote both explicit and implicit pro-Hamas behaviour is “cause for concern.” .“It is not just explicit pro-Hamas symbols and chants that are cause for concern,” Braverman said. “I would encourage police to consider whether chants such as: ‘From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free’ should be understood as an expression of a violent desire to see Israel erased from the world and whether its use in certain contexts may amount to a racially aggravated section 5 public order offence.”.“I would encourage police to give similar consideration to the presence of symbols such as swastikas at anti-Israel demonstrations,” she continued. “Context is crucial. Behaviours that are legitimate in some circumstances, for example the waving of a Palestinian flag, may not be legitimate such as when intended to glorify acts of terrorism.”.“Nor is it acceptable to drive through Jewish neighbourhoods, or single out Jewish members of the public, to aggressively chant or wave pro-Palestinian symbols at them. Where harassment is identified, I would encourage the police to take swift and appropriate enforcement action..“I encourage all chief officers to ensure that any protests which could exacerbate community tensions by way of offensive placards, chants or behaviours that could be construed as incitement or harassment, have a strong police presence to ensure perpetrators are appropriately dealt with and that communities feel protected,” she wrote..“However, I would urge you to ensure your forces use all available powers to prevent disorder and distress to our communities and that your officers will act if there are any incidents that stray into criminality,” she said.
UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman told senior police officers Wednesday to watch for Palestinian flags and chants as they might be a criminal offence. .Since the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel Saturday, Palestine supporters worldwide have been gathering in town squares to celebrate the slaughter of hundreds of Jews, many inciting further violence. .Now, doing so may be a criminal offence in the UK. Braverman sent a letter to top law enforcement officials to clampdown on flags, chants, songs and any other paraphernalia fomenting hatred towards the Jews such as swastikas. .Braverman, who sent the letter to chief constables in England and Wales, wrote both explicit and implicit pro-Hamas behaviour is “cause for concern.” .“It is not just explicit pro-Hamas symbols and chants that are cause for concern,” Braverman said. “I would encourage police to consider whether chants such as: ‘From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free’ should be understood as an expression of a violent desire to see Israel erased from the world and whether its use in certain contexts may amount to a racially aggravated section 5 public order offence.”.“I would encourage police to give similar consideration to the presence of symbols such as swastikas at anti-Israel demonstrations,” she continued. “Context is crucial. Behaviours that are legitimate in some circumstances, for example the waving of a Palestinian flag, may not be legitimate such as when intended to glorify acts of terrorism.”.“Nor is it acceptable to drive through Jewish neighbourhoods, or single out Jewish members of the public, to aggressively chant or wave pro-Palestinian symbols at them. Where harassment is identified, I would encourage the police to take swift and appropriate enforcement action..“I encourage all chief officers to ensure that any protests which could exacerbate community tensions by way of offensive placards, chants or behaviours that could be construed as incitement or harassment, have a strong police presence to ensure perpetrators are appropriately dealt with and that communities feel protected,” she wrote..“However, I would urge you to ensure your forces use all available powers to prevent disorder and distress to our communities and that your officers will act if there are any incidents that stray into criminality,” she said.
