Waving Palestine Flag in UK is Now An Offense
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Salma Hossein
- . October 11, 2023
- . Update: October 11, 2023 7:23 pm
Waving a Palestine flag in support of Palestinians and chanting “Israel is a terrorist state” and “Free Palestine”, is now deemed as support for acts of terrorism. This comes despite Israel’s inhumane acts in Gaza Strip, killings of Palestine and desecration of Al Aqsa mosque.
UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman told police officers to use the full force of the law against any shows of support for Hamas and any bid to intimidate the UK’s Jewish community. She said waving pro-Palestinian, or pro-Hamas symbols, and chanting slogans that could be interpreted as anti-Israeli could account to public order offenses.
“I would encourage police to consider whether chants like ‘From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free’ should be understood as an expression of a violent desire to see Israel erased from the world, and whether it’s use in certain contexts may amount to a racially aggravated section 5 public order offense.”
Palestine Flag May Glorify Act of Terrorism
Braverman said waving of a Palestinian flag may not be legitimate such as when intended to glorify acts of terrorism. She added its neither acceptable to drive through Jewish neighborhoods, or single out Jewish members of the public to aggressively wave or chant pro-Palestinian symbols.
The Home Secretary encouraged the police to take swift and appropriate enforcement action where and when harassment is identified. “I would encourage your forces use all available powers to prevent disorder and distress to our communities, and that your officers will act if there are any incidents that stray into criminality.”
This comes after UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak vowed to hold people to account if they are found to be supporting Hamas in Britain.
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Labor leader Keir Starmer urged for the colors of the Israel flag to be displayed during England’s match this Saturday at the Wembley arch. “I do think they should be on the arch. I think a message needs to go out that we stand with Israel.”
Meanwhile, a minor disorder was witnessed when some individuals scaled the Sheffield town hall during a pro-Palestine rally in the city and replaced an Israeli flag with the Palestinian flag. Cheers were sounded.
