LONDON — The UK urges pro-Palestinian group to cancel protest after synagogue attack, the government and police said Friday. The appeal comes after a violent assault outside a Manchester synagogue.
Two people died and several were injured in the attack. Officials identified the attacker as a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent. He rammed a car into pedestrians, then began stabbing, and was shot by police.
Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood and senior police officials asked organizers to postpone or call off a planned demonstration in London. They said the protest would divert police resources from community protection.
The UK urges pro-Palestinian group to cancel protest after synagogue attack to allow space for the Jewish community to grieve. Mahmood said a brief pause in protest activity would show respect during a difficult time.
The demonstration was organized by Defend Our Juries. It was intended as a show of protest against a government ban on the group Palestine Action under anti-terror laws. Defend Our Juries said it condemned the Manchester attack but planned to move ahead with the protest.
Metropolitan Police warned that the protest could stretch officers thin. They urged the group to “do the responsible thing and delay or cancel their plans.” The force said it wants to focus fully on protecting communities shaken by the attack.
Some in government emphasized the right to peaceful protest remains strong in British law. They said police must plan carefully and act within legal frameworks. Mahmood acknowledged she does not have legal power to ban the protest outright.
The UK urges pro-Palestinian group to cancel protest after synagogue attack as a gesture of national unity. The government, religious leaders, and civil society expressed sorrow and urged calm.
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis called for deeper introspection across society. He linked rising antisemitic rhetoric in some protests to the attack and urged authorities to take stronger action.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowed to confront antisemitism and boost protection for Jewish institutions. He emphasized the state’s role in upholding security for all communities.
As tension runs high, the coming days will test how authorities balance protest rights with public safety. The call for cancellation underscores the sensitivity of the moment and the desire to prevent more harm.
Read More : Bilawal Urges UK Govt to Facilitate Dialogue Between Pakistan and India
