Starmer suggests some protests may be stopped or more tightly policed
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · May 2
Starmer suggests some protests may be stopped or more tightly policed
8 articles · Updated · BBC.com · May 2
Speaking after the Golders Green stabbings, the prime minister said repeated pro-Palestinian marches could have a cumulative impact on Jews and that chants like “globalise the intifada” should be prosecuted.
He said he would defend peaceful protest but wanted to examine further powers, as Jonathan Hall and Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis urged a temporary moratorium on marches.
Campaigners, the Greens and Jeremy Corbyn's party warned against curbing civil liberties, while police already can restrict or, with Home Office approval, ban marches; London's Al Quds Day march was barred last month.
Could new protest bans and slogan restrictions actually deepen divisions rather than protect vulnerable communities in the UK?
How will police determine which protest language crosses the line between free speech and hate speech under the new laws?
UK Government’s Response to Golders Green Attack: Balancing Antisemitism Security and Protest Rights
Overview
The April 29, 2026 stabbing in Golders Green by Essa Suleiman, a man with a history of violence and mental health issues, triggered a swift government response including raising the UK terrorism threat level to severe and announcing £25 million in funding to protect Jewish communities. Prime Minister Starmer linked antisemitic violence to protest rhetoric, prompting new legislation like the Crime and Policing Bill 2025, which introduced a face-covering ban at protests and restrictions near places of worship. These measures sparked criticism from civil rights groups and pro-Palestinian activists, who saw them as suppressing legitimate dissent. The High Court overturned a government ban on Palestine Action, highlighting tensions between security and free speech. An independent review and parliamentary inquiries now seek to balance community safety with democratic freedoms amid rising societal divisions.