British Home Secretary Suella Braveman has ordered local police to consider flying a Palestinian flag a “criminal offence.”
“Context is crucial,” Braverman warned in the letter addressed to police chiefs. “Conduct that is legitimate in some circumstances, such as waving a Palestinian flag, may not be legitimate when it comes to glorifying acts of terrorism.”
Braverman has urged the Police to have “the same consideration for the presence of swastikas in anti-Israel demonstrations” and to act against chants such as “From the river to sea, Palestine will be free.” the sea, Palestine will be free”) for believing that it can be understood as “the expression of a violent desire to see Israel erased from the world.”
The Home Secretary, known for her anti-immigration rhetoric, has been directly criticized by Shami Chakrabarti, a member of the House of Lords and a lawyer specializing in human rights: “Police chiefs know their powers and their duties, and “The politicization of their work in these dangerous times does nothing to make vulnerable communities safer.”
Braverman’s letter has reached public opinion after the demonstration held this Monday in front of the Israeli embassy in which dozens of protesters waved Palestinian flags. The Secretary of the Interior expressed her concern about several videos that appeared on social networks in which cars can be seen waving Palestinian symbols in neighborhoods with a Jewish population in London and other cities.
Dozens of citizens and supporters of Israel meanwhile demonstrated in front of Downing Street displaying flags with the Star of David. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak attended a synagogue on Monday to show his unwavering support for Israel.
Sunak warned that the Police have “very clear guidance and advice from the Government against any act outside the law.” “I want to remind everyone that Hamas is a banned terrorist organization,” the premier said. “People should not support Hamas and we will make sure they are held accountable under the law if they do so.”
