LONDON (Dispatches) – Activist groups have hit back at UK Prime Minister Rish Sunak after he claimed demonstrations in support of Palestine were indicative of “extremists” undermining British democracy.
In an impromptu speech on Downing Street, Sunak said the UK’s “streets have been hijacked by small groups” that are threatening to “tear us apart”, calling on the police to adopt a tougher stance toward Gaza protests.
“We have seen a shocking increase in extremist disruption and criminality. What started as protests on our streets has descended into intimidation, threats, and planned acts of violence,” he said.
Earlier in the week, Sunak said that there was a “growing consensus that mob rule is replacing democratic rule”, in reference to the protests in the UK.
He said “this situation has gone on long enough”, in reference to protesters, with a direct message that “threats of violence and intimidation are alien to our way of doing things”.
The speech, which came a surprise to many, was condemned by opposition politicians and campaigners, who said it appeared to threaten restrictions on the right to protest.
Ben Jamal, head of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), said it was ironic that Sunak wanted to deal with “extremists” considering the UK government’s support for the Zionist regime.
“Maybe he should start with politicians, political commentators and religious leaders who support a state, on trial for genocide, in its mass slaughter, and deliberate creation of famine,” he said on social media.
“Not those protesting against it.”
Caroline Lucas, the UK’s sole Green Party MP, also criticized the speech.
“The mask has really dropped now, if there were any doubt who the real extremists are, it is Sunak’s government - threatening to take visas off protesters and stirring up anti-Muslim hate,” she tweeted.
Just a few days ago, a coalition of groups, which regularly organizes protests to demand a ceasefire in Gaza, told journalists that “divisive rhetoric” by British MPs and “selective media coverage” are driving calls to curb protest rights in Britain.
Amnesty International lso criticized Sunak’s remarks, accusing the government of attempting to suppress protests.
Ilyas Nagdee, Amnesty International UK’s racial justice director, emphasized that the protests, largely peaceful, are a response to the high civilian death toll in Gaza and the UK government’s perceived inaction to secure an immediate ceasefire. Nagdee stressed that these protests should not be equated with extremism.
Nagdee said it was “deeply worrying” that the government wished to impose more restrictions on protests.