The war in Gaza has transformed many Western societies into tinderboxes of social tension. And the UK is no exception.
Just days after a Conservative MP was suspended from his party for claiming London Mayor Sadiq Khan was controlled by Islamists, the issue has taken on much bigger proportions.
Pro-Palestinian protesters are weaponizing the already serious problem of migrant violence and terrorizing MPs in a way that has mobilized the attention of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
There are fears that shouted accusations that he is an “enabler of genocide” and has “blood on his hands” are about to degenerate into violence against politicians who support Israel.
Some politicians are considering new safety measures, such as sitting by the door on public transport and limiting meetings with the public.
Reuters reported:
“After the October 7 Hamas attack that sparked the war in Gaza, more than 10 British politicians interviewed by Reuters said abuses directed at them had become more intense. At least one cited this as a factor in the decision not to seek a new mandate in parliament in elections later this year.
All spoke on condition of anonymity, saying they fear giving their names could increase threats and abuse.
The conflict in the Palestinian enclave has inflamed tensions around the world, bringing protesters into the streets in support of both sides and dividing opinion among leaders on how to end the bloodshed.”
Even seasoned politicians, accustomed to receiving insults from the public, fear that the tone has gotten much worse and could easily slide into violence.
Many are considering wearing “stab-proof vests” during meetings or even building safe rooms.
“Last week, parliamentary speaker Lindsay Hoyle called parliament into session chaos when he broke with precedent to allow the three main parties to finalize their positions on a ceasefire call in Gaza. This is designed to prevent lawmakers from having to choose between supporting a ceasefire, abstaining, or voting against one in order to follow their party’s orders.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called on all parties to defuse the issue, but some of his Conservative lawmakers have been accused of Islamophobia in their responses. They deny the accusation.”
$39 million will be spent on new security provisions for lawmakers and other officials.
Some legislators have decided to resign due to intolerable threats.
The Guardian reported:
“In comments that have worried civil liberties groups, the prime minister also called for a crackdown on protests outside parliament, political party offices and town halls that could prevent the use of a venue or “cause alarm , harassment or inconvenience”.
Ministers criticized regular mass protests, which have intensified due to the Israel-Gaza conflict, and disruptive tactics used by groups such as Just Stop Oil.
“Downing Street said ministers and senior police officials have agreed to sign a new ‘democratic policing protocol’ which would see police treat demonstrations outside MPs’ homes as ‘intimidating’, a minimum standard of police response to demonstrations against parliamentarians and a guide for officers monitoring protests and other “democratic” events.
During the meeting Sunak told police chiefs they needed to demonstrate they would use the powers they already have, saying it was “vital to maintain public confidence in the police”.
In a stark assessment of the UK’s political processes, he added: “There is a growing consensus that mob rule is replacing democratic government. And we must collectively, all of us, change this urgently. But we also need to demonstrate more broadly to the public that you will use the powers that you already have, the laws that you have.”
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