Downing Street said the Prime Minister was “very seriously” concerned about the impact of regular pro-Palestinian protests, following claims that London had become a “no-go zone for Jews”.
The government’s counter-extremism czar, Robin Simcox, warned that a “conducive environment for radicalization” was being created and urged the government to “act faster” and “be bolder”. .
Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Mr Simcox said: “We would not be an authoritarian state if London were no longer allowed to become a no-go zone for Jews every weekend.”
His comments were echoed by the chief executive of the Community Security Trust, which provides security for Britain’s Jewish community.
Mark Gardner said: “I think it’s a very worrying headline, but there’s also a huge element of truth to it.”
He added that his organization had received multiple statements from “people who are not going to the city over the weekend because of the protests.”
In response to Mr Simcox’s comments, a No 10 spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister wants to make clear that it is very important that we take people who feel this way very seriously and he is acutely aware of the fear and distress that many people are feeling.” and communities across our country.
“That is why he is making clear that some of the behavior we have seen in recent weeks is unacceptable and does not reflect the values we hold as a society.
“This is not his experience in the UK and he talked about it in his speech, but he believes it is very important that we take people’s concerns very seriously and that is why we That’s why we’re acting accordingly.”
The measures include establishing a new definition of extremism, which could go into effect as early as next week, and would restrict government officials from engaging with or funding groups or individuals deemed extremist. may be prohibited.
Mr Simcox added: “We have cited examples of intimidation and hatred by minorities at the London protests.”
Mr Simcox’s comments follow Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s promise to address the “root causes” of the problem and “ensure that extremist organizations and individuals are not given legitimacy by their actions or interactions with central government”. It is in line with.
He said: “While debates over definitions may feel like academic navel-gazing when actual extremism is so common, this work has a clear purpose: will be used to guide future decisions about who is and is not involved.”
“The government is right to act. Evidence of states collaborating with or funding extremists appears in independent reviews and government strategies dating back more than a decade. Extremism Regardless of the new definition, this needs to be corrected.”
He suggested that the government and its agencies already have powers to combat extremism, but are failing to deal with groups that fall below terrorist standards.
He said Whitehall had “more power than we sometimes think in dealing with extremism”.
“Ultimately, the Iranian government has no inalienable right to run schools or mosques in the capital,” he said.
“It is not an irrevocable democratic principle that Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood should be allowed to carry out numerous charitable works.
“We have not betrayed our democracy if extremists are no longer able to run our TV channels.”
Stop the War Coalition organizer John Rees rejected Mr Simcox’s claims, saying it was “irresponsible” for the government to incite unnecessary fear in Britain’s Jewish community.
He said: “Of course, if the government decides to incite such fear, people will naturally feel that way.”