UK's Top Security Official Calls Pro-Palestine Protests Following Manchester Attack as 'Against British Values'

The home secretary has stated that the move by advocates for Palestine to continue with demonstrations demanding an cessation to the war in Gaza following Thursday's lethal attack at a Jewish place of worship in Manchester was "deeply against British values".

Britain's security minister further added she would urge anyone thinking about attending such events to consider carefully how they would respond if a family member was taken on the most sacred day of their faith.

While more details emerged about the perpetrator, recognized by law enforcement as Jihad al-Shamie, Mahmood indicated he was not on the radar of anti-terror officers and had not been sent to the government's anti-radicalization initiative.

Law enforcement stated that Adrian Daulby, 53 and Melvin Cravitz, 66 lost their lives after the perpetrator struck a gathering of people outside the Jewish worship center before assaulting another individual. Three people remained in treatment while more suspects arrested by authorities remained in detention.

Mahmood used a morning broadcast round to state that Britain had witnessed a "rising tide of anti-Jewish sentiment", stating that the administration would "not accept that" as she tried to guarantee the Jewish population in the UK.

Protection measures would be assessed, she stated.

Responding to queries about what various observers had characterized as a climate of fear that Jewish people have experienced, notably since last year's Middle East violence in 2023 and the beginning of the conflict in Gaza, she remarked there was "certainly great anxiety about developments in the Middle East but our main focus is making sure our residents here at home are protected".

Speaking about pro-Gaza demonstrations that continued on the previous day, she added, "I was very disappointed to see those gatherings going ahead last night. I think that behaviour is deeply un-British. I think it is disrespectful. I would have wanted those individuals to just take a pause."

"The matters that are motivating those protests have been continuing for a while. They don't appear they are going to conclude any time soon. They could have provided a group that has been through trauma just a brief time to deal with what has occurred," stated Mahmood.

"For anyone who is thinking about going on a rally what I would advise is imagine that is you who has had a close relative taken on the holiest day of your faith," she stated.

"There will be time for your rally later. Just because you have the right to rally doesn't mean you have to use it," remarked the official.

"I maintain my request for people to show some love and some support to the relatives of those who have been murdered and to our British Jews."

She stated that around 40 people had been arrested at the recent gatherings including some on charges of attacking police.

The spotlight has now moved to London, where organizers of protests calling for a restriction on Palestine Action to be lifted have declared they aim to continue with a organized gathering on Saturday.