🔗 Share this article Home Secretary Calls Pro-Palestine Demonstrations Following Manchester Incident as 'Against British Values' The home secretary has stated that the move by Palestinian supporters to go ahead with protests calling for an cessation to the war in Gaza following Thursday's lethal incident at a synagogue in Manchester was "essentially un-British". Shabana Mahmood also stated she would appeal to anyone thinking about attending similar protests to pause and reflect how they would feel if a loved one was murdered on the most important religious day of their faith. Incident Information Made Public As additional information came to light about the perpetrator, recognized by police as Jihad al-Shamie, the home secretary confirmed he was not familiar to terror prevention officers and had not been referred to the UK's de-radicalization scheme. Local authorities reported that Adrian Daulby, 53 and a 66-year-old man were killed after the perpetrator struck a crowd of individuals outside a local synagogue before assaulting another individual. Multiple victims were still in medical care while additional individuals detained by law enforcement continued in confinement. Growing Wave of Jewish Prejudice The home secretary used a series of media interviews to assert that Britain had witnessed a "growing surge of anti-Jewish sentiment", adding that the authorities would "not stand for that" as she attempted to comfort the Jewish population in the UK. Safety protocols would be reviewed, she stated. Public Worries and Administration Position When asked about what various observers had described as a atmosphere of anxiety that the Jewish community have encountered, notably since the October 7th incidents in 2023 and the beginning of the fighting in Gaza, she remarked there was "undoubtedly great concern about events in the area but our primary concern is making sure our residents here at home are safe". Regret Over Continued Protests Addressing pro-Gaza demonstrations that went ahead on the previous day, she added, "It was deeply regrettable to see those demonstrations going ahead last night. I think that conduct is fundamentally against British values. I think it is inappropriate. I would have preferred those people to just take a pause." "The issues that are motivating those protests have been continuing for some time. They seem unlikely they are going to conclude any time soon. They could have provided a community that has experienced tragedy just a day or two to deal with what has happened," added Mahmood. Call to Demonstrators "To anybody who is planning going on a rally what I would suggest is consider that is you who has had a family member killed on the most sacred day of your beliefs," she commented. "There will be time for your protest later. Just because you have the freedom to rally doesn't mean you need to use it," remarked Mahmood. "I continue to urge people to show some empathy and some support to the families of those who have been murdered and to our Jewish population." Apprehensions and Planned Events She stated that around 40 people had been taken into custody at Thursday's demonstrations including some on charges of harming law enforcement. The spotlight has now shifted to London, where organizers of demonstrations urging a prohibition on a specific group to be removed have said they aim to go ahead with a planned action on the coming days.