🔗 Share this article Home Secretary Describes Pro-Palestine Protests Following Manchester Incident as 'Not British' The home secretary has asserted that the choice by Palestinian supporters to continue with protests demanding an cessation to the conflict in Gaza following Thursday's lethal assault at a synagogue in Manchester was "fundamentally un-British". Shabana Mahmood further added she would urge anyone planning attending similar protests to pause and reflect how they would feel if a loved one was killed on the holiest day of their religion. Incident Information Disclosed While further information came to light about the perpetrator, identified by police as Jihad al-Shamie, Mahmood stated he was not familiar to terror prevention police and had not been referred to the British de-radicalization scheme. Law enforcement reported that a 53-year-old man and a 66-year-old man died after the perpetrator drove into a crowd of individuals outside Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation before stabbing another person. Several individuals continued to be in hospital while more suspects arrested by police continued in confinement. Increasing Tide of Antisemitism The home secretary used a television appearances to state that Britain had seen a "increasing wave of antisemitism", emphasizing that the authorities would "not tolerate that" as she sought to reassure the Jewish population in the UK. Security arrangements would be examined, she confirmed. Public Worries and Official Reaction Responding to queries about what others had labeled as a environment of concern that British Jews have experienced, particularly since last year's Middle East violence in 2023 and the start of the fighting in Gaza, she remarked there was "certainly great anxiety about situations in the Middle East but our main focus is making sure our people here at home are safe". Disappointment Over Persisting Rallies Addressing pro-Gaza rallies that proceeded on the previous day, she stated, "I was very disappointed to see those demonstrations going ahead last night. I think that action is fundamentally un-British. I think it is disrespectful. I would have wanted those participants to just take a pause." "The issues that are inspiring those rallies have been going on for a while. They don't appear they are going to conclude any time soon. They could have provided a group that has suffered just a day or two to process what has happened," added the minister. Appeal to Participants "To those who is planning going on a rally what I would say is imagine that is you who has had a close relative murdered on the most important religious day of your faith," she added. "We can return to your rally later. Just because you have the liberty to demonstrate doesn't mean you need to use it," said Mahmood. "I would still call on people to show some love and some unity to the relatives of those who have been lost and to our British Jews." Apprehensions and Planned Events She stated that around 40 people had been taken into custody at the previous day's gatherings including some on suspicion of attacking police. The focus has now moved to the capital, where coordinators of demonstrations urging a ban on an organization to be ended have said they aim to go ahead with a organized gathering on Saturday.