Mar 01, 2024 at 10:20 PM Update: 4 hours ago
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed his concerns about extremism in the United Kingdom in a sudden speech on national television on Friday evening. According to him, extreme positions on the Gaza war are putting pressure on British democracy.
Sunak made his speech after a local by-election in Rochdale. There, George Galloway won a convincing victory after a campaign that focused almost entirely on the Gaza war and harsh criticism of Israel.
Sunak warns that the Gaza war is being used to sow division. “People want to take advantage of the feelings surrounding the suffering in Gaza. They use it to spread their own divisive, hateful opinions.” He called Galloway’s victory “more than disturbing”.
The prime minister sees that the Gaza war has an impact on his country. “Jewish children are afraid to wear their school uniform, otherwise it would reveal their identity. Muslim women are abused in the streets because of the actions of a terrorist group with which they have no connection.”
Across the UK, Sunak said there has been a “shocking increase” in so-called “extremist disruption and crime” in recent months. According to him, peaceful protests have grown into structural intimidation, threats and planned acts of violence. Sunak gave no examples.
‘British democracy target of aggression’
British democracy would also suffer, Sunak said. “Council meetings and local events have been stormed. MPs do not feel safe in their homes. Long-standing parliamentary conventions have been upended over security concerns.”
For all these reasons, Sunak emphasized that the British police have the government’s unconditional support in maintaining order and suppressing extremism. The government itself will present an “action plan” “later this month”, without going into details yet.
In the war in Gaza, Sunak’s government, like the United States, emphatically supports the Israeli government. Sunak is calling for a “lasting ceasefire” in the conflict.
In his victory speech, Galloway lashed out at Sunak and his cabinet, who he said were “applauding” the “catastrophe” in the Gaza Strip.
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Image: AFP
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2024-03-01 21:20:38
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