February 24, 2024, 07:14
Palestinians protest outside the parliament building.
Photo: Alamy
A prominent pro-Palestinian activist told his supporters he wanted to force parliament to “lock the doors,” fueling fears for the safety of members.
Ben Jamal, head of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PCS), which has led many demonstrations in recent months, organized a protest outside the House of Commons on Wednesday during the chaotic cease-fire vote.
The PSC tried to bring its supporters into parliament to pressure MPs to vote in favor of a ceasefire, but they were blocked by security.
There were scenes of devastation on the night, with Speaker Lindsay Hoyle saying she had broken the convention of allowing Labour’s amendments to vote due to concerns about the health of MPs.
“We want so many of you to come that we have to lock the very doors of Parliament,” Jamal can be heard saying in the video, according to the Times. He also called on protesters to “intensify the pressure” on parliamentarians.
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Ben Jamal.
Photo: Getty
The protest also saw demonstrators projecting the slogan “From River to Sea” onto the side of Big Ben. Some people interpret the slogan as anti-Semitic, but police say it is only illegal depending on the context.
Home Secretary James Cleverley said MPs should not be put under “undue pressure”.
He said: “Members of Parliament, indeed elected representatives, must be able to vote and express their opinions without fear or favor. To change that through intimidation or intimidation sends the right message. It’s not going to be sent.”
“As Home Secretary, it is our job, together with the Minister of Security, the police and other institutions, to ensure that MPs, MPs and the whole democratic process are actually protected from undue pressure, and that they are The only thing to fear is to make sure the vote is in the box.
London, UK, February 21, 2024. Protesters gather for a rally in Parliament Square.
Photo: Alamy
“External pressure, no matter how strong, should not influence whether a member of Congress ultimately carries out his or her job. I am determined to check.”
Rishi Sunak said on Friday it was “unacceptable” for MPs to intimidate protesters.
“Some of the scenes we have seen in recent months, particularly anti-Semitic acts, are appalling and unacceptable, which is why we are giving police more powers,” he said. “We hope that the police will use their powers to ensure that everything is taken care of.” Of this. “
The PSC tried to draw in protesters by using a “green card” system that allows voters to meet with members of parliament. But security guards blocked them, saying only 50 Palestinian protesters were allowed inside at a time.
London, UK, February 21, 2024. Protesters gather for a rally in Parliament Square.
Photo: Alamy
Jamal told supporters outside parliament: “Members of Congress are feeling the pressure. They’re worried about the hundreds of thousands of people protesting in their districts, the people they face every day in their offices, who have been sent in this week. 50,000 emails were sent to MPs calling for a ceasefire, addressed to the 3,000 people who lobbied them face-to-face today.
“They’re worried that if they continue to give the green light to genocide, you won’t be able to vote for them. We need to prove them right. No ceasefire, no vote. So my friends, no matter what the outcome of tonight’s shitty show, we’re not going to stop. We’re not going to stop. We continue to increase the pressure. ”
Lord Walney, the Government’s adviser on political violence, said Mr Jamal’s comments showed the “militancy of the far left”.
He added: “That sense of threat and the idea of overwhelming democratic institutions in numbers means that this is not just a matter of argumentative power, but also that people are trying to force Congress to take action as part of intimidating them into taking action.” “It means they are trying to apply physical pressure,” he added. want.
“Lively debate is very important, but people flocking to Congress, occupying or damaging the offices of members of Congress, and surrounding the homes of members of Congress to prevent their families from entering, is a cause for lively debate. It can not be said.”
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“More than 3,000 people from across the UK came to lobby MPs in person in one of the largest physical lobbies in Parliament’s history,” Jamal said in a statement responding to the criticism.
“Unfortunately, due to the introduction of special measures limiting the number of people who can meet MPs in person, most MPs were refused entry and ended up queuing for more than four hours in the rain.
He said he agrees with the idea that protests should not take place outside the homes of members of Congress.
“However, there are claims that peaceful protests outside the offices of members of parliament are unacceptable and that people who come to peacefully lobby parliamentarians on Palestinian rights issues are security concerns. We absolutely reject the argument that it should be treated as a threat to the world,” Jamal said. Added.
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Two members of parliament have been murdered in recent years. Jo Cox was murdered by a far-right attacker in 2016, and Sir David Ames was murdered by an Islamist in 2021.
In 2017, an Islamist terrorist drove a car around the Palace of Westminster and stabbed police officer Keith Palmer to death. He also killed four people with his car and injured another 50. In 2018, another terrorist drove a car into pedestrians outside the palace, injuring three people.
More recently, Conservative MP Mike Freer said he felt forced to resign due to concerns for his safety due to his pro-Israel stance.