UK Police Granted New Powers to Curb Pro-Palestine Repeat Protests After Manchester Attack

Following a deadly attack at a Manchester synagogue where two men were killed, UK authorities are enhancing police powers to limit pro-Palestine protests citing concerns over public safety and rising antisemitism. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced new legal measures allowing police to assess the cumulative impact of repeated demonstrations, requiring rerouting or cancellation of marches, and imposing penalties on organizers and participants who breach conditions. These changes, part of amendments to the Public Order Act and the Government’s Crime and Policing Bill, aim to protect communities, particularly the Jewish community, which has expressed considerable fear amid ongoing protests. Mahmood emphasized balancing the right to protest with the need for neighbors to live without fear, highlighting the government's commitment to ensure consistent and sufficient police powers, including the ability to ban protests outright if necessary. The move has drawn cautious support from Jewish leaders but concern from civil liberties groups, reflecting tensions between security and freedom of expression. Meanwhile, political figures have condemned the protests coinciding with extremist elements, underscoring the urgency of addressing community relations and antisemitism in the UK.