The UK government’s counter-extremism commissioner, Robin Simcox, has commented that London has become a “no-go zone for Jews” during pro-Palestinian demonstrations, prompting him to call on ministers to “be bolder and be willing to accept higher legal risk” when combatting extremism. In a recent speech, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak warned of forces “trying to tear the country apart”, which Mr Simcox emphasises as an increase in extremist disruption. Consequently, Mr Simcox says the government should have “policies to meet the scale of the challenge” but comments that they already have “more power to tackle extremism than it sometimes thinks”.
Mr Simcox’s comments come ahead of a new definition of extremism being set out next week, which he acknowledges has a “clear purpose” and will be used “to guide future decisions”. Simcox also said the UK has “not betrayed democracy” if it no longer permits “extremists to operate television channels” or allows London to be a “no-go zone for Jews every weekend”.
Since the onset of conflict in Gaza, pro-Palestine marches have happened frequently in London, and last month, Home Secretary James Cleverly urged demonstrators to stop protests. Organizations have argued that “discriminatory” policing is a result of anti-Muslim “hysteria” from some MPs and government pressure, leading to police disapproval of “peaceful mass protests”.
Despite acknowledging that the government has the capability to quell extremism, Mr Simcox believes that there is a considerable increase in the number of extremist-related disturbances in the UK. He’s calling on the ministries to be more proactive, and for the demonstration attendees to act more moderately during these events
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