'Respect grief' Starmer's plea to Palestine Action protesters

The prime minister has called for protesters to “respect the grief of British Jews” this week after the Manchester attack.

- Ben Quinn Vikram Dodd

Ahead of a planned demonstration against the ban on Palestine Action today, Starmer wrote in the Jewish Chronicle that activists should recognise this is a time of mourning.

“Peaceful protest is a cornerstone of our democracy - and there is justified concern about the suffering in Gaza - but a minority have used these protests as a pretext for stoking antisemitic tropes,” he wrote.

“I urge anyone thinking about protesting this weekend to recognise and respect the grief of British Jews this week. This is a moment of mourning. It is not a time to stoke tension and cause further pain.”

However, those protesting have said cancelling a demonstration today would “let terror win”.