‘Cut the hate’: UK ministers want ban on MPs, councillors engaging with pro-Palestine protesters

In Britain, MPs and councillors may face a ban for interacting with groups behind the pro-Palestine marches. The plans, put forward by government’s adviser on political violence and former Labour MP, John Woodcock, say mainstream political leaders will be required to tell their representatives to employ a “zero-tolerance approach” to groups using disruptive tactics and have failed to restrict “hate” on marches.

Woodcock said MPs and councillors should also sever ties with eco-zealots like Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil who use “illegal” tactics, he said.

The proposals have been now been sent to PM Rishi Sunak and home secretary James Cleverly for considering banning lawmakers and instructing them not to engage with groups including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil.

UK seeing rise in mass protests

Mass protests over the Israel-Hamas war have escalated across the UK. Ministers have been staunchly criticising them and also have condemned disruptive tactics used by groups such as Just Stop Oil.

The PSC has organised protests against the Gaza war across the UK. However, these agitations have been marred by anti-Jew hate and chants of “from the river to the sea” – which can be seen as genocidal by calling for Israel to be wiped out.

It is also being said hardline environment groups – Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil – may also use the opportunity to create illegal disruption to get noticed as well as get their way.