Suella Braverman comes out fighting as she condemns pro-Palestine marchers of 'valorising terrorism' and 'polluting' the streets with hate
A woman carried a placard depicting Mr Sunak and Mrs Braverman as coconuts
Suella Braverman yesterday said pro-Palestine marches 'polluting' the streets with hate 'can't go on', following ugly scenes at the weekend.
The Home Secretary condemned the 'valorising of terrorism' on Armistice Day and said further action was needed to stop it.
More than 100 arrests were made after clashes involving pro-Palestine protesters in central London on Saturday.
Ahead of Saturday's protest, the Home Secretary branded it a 'hate march' and accused officers of 'playing favourites' with protesters. Last night she doubled down on her comments.
The Home Secretary (pictured) condemned the 'valorising of terrorism' on Armistice Day and said further action was needed to stop it
More than 100 arrests were made after clashes involving pro-Palestine protesters in central London on Saturday
In uncompromising language, Mrs Braverman tweeted that chants, placards and posters carried by some protesters were 'clearly criminal' and marked a 'new low'.
She added: 'Anti-Semitism and other forms of racism together with the valorising of terrorism on such a scale is deeply troubling.
'This can't go on. Week by week, the streets of London are being polluted by hate, violence, and anti-Semitism. Members of the public are being mobbed and intimidated. Jewish people in particular feel threatened. Further action is necessary.'
Mrs Braverman thanked the police last night, saying it was an 'outrage' that nine officers were injured in the line of duty.
Hundreds of thousands took part in Saturday's rally, which the Prime Minister described as 'disrespectful and provocative'.
Ministers are understood to be urgently looking at giving the police new powers to prevent future protests after officers said they were unable to halt the latest march under existing laws.
The new laws could enable officers to take into account the cumulative effect of weeks of protests on members of the public, such as the Jewish community. Marches have taken place in London on every Saturday since the Hamas terror attacks on October 7.
While ministers believe there is a lot police can do with their existing powers, officers appear to be nervous about using them to act on slogans such as 'From the river to the sea', which is regarded as anti-Semitic by the Jewish community.
Other measures could expand the definition of glorifying terrorism, or create specific offences around protesters climbing on monuments.
The law around fireworks, smoke bombs and flares could also be tightened up.
Last night, Scotland Yard appealed for help identifying pro-Palestinian protesters 'in relation to a hate crime', including two women holding offensive placards.
Hundreds of thousands took part in Saturday's rally, which the Prime Minister described as 'disrespectful and provocative'
One woman carried a placard depicting Mr Sunak and Mrs Braverman as coconuts.
Rishi Sunak said he will meet Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley in the 'coming days'.
He has said he expects 'Hamas sympathisers' to face 'the full and swift force of the law'.
Last night a Home Office source said the statement that 'this can't go on' is a reference to shortcomings in the current law on protests and public order.
'There are issues with the legal framework the police are working within. That is a matter for us, the politicians, and not for them,' the source said. 'It's about looking at what we can do to help.'
The Government's independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, Jonathan Hall KC, is looking at offences under the Terrorism Act.
Last month Mr Hall suggested there may be scope for a new offence of 'having a flag that is associated with terrorism generally' after protesters waved the black and white emblem that 'looked like the Islamic State flag.
One shocking video showed a woman at the march screaming 'death to all jews'
Police are 'actively seeking' two men wearing Hamas-style headbands
Another individual on the Met's list of suspects is a man who was filmed saying: 'Hitler knew how to deal with these people'
This woman said of the October 7 Hamas attacks: 'Hamas are freedom fighters.'
Another pro-Palestine activist said that the 'continued existence of Israel' was a 'war crime'
This activist said that Hamas launching its barbaric attack was 'a beacon of hope for me'
This woman said that Hamas are not terrorists but America and Israel are
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