Arabic version: الحكومة البريطانية توافق على حظر مسيرة يوم القدس في لندن
The UK government has approved a request from the Metropolitan Police to ban the upcoming Al Quds Day march scheduled for Sunday in London. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated that the ban is aimed at preventing “serious public disorder” associated with the event, which has always been seen as pro-Iranian, though organizers say it is more of a pro-Palestinian event. This marks the first time a protest march has been banned since 2012, according to BBC News.
The Metropolitan Police emphasized that the decision to impose a ban is not taken lightly, with Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan noting the unique risks posed by the march and potential counter-protests. He explained that the ban will be in effect from 16:00 on Wednesday and will last for one month. The police have successfully managed numerous protests in the past, but they assessed that this particular march presents significant challenges due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Mahmood indicated that while the march is banned, a stationary demonstration could still occur under strict conditions. She expressed that the police would enforce the law against anyone spreading hatred and division. Faisal Bodi, a representative of the Islamic Human Rights Commission, criticized the ban as a setback for freedom of expression, asserting that the march has been held peacefully for 40 years.
In response to the ban, former Met chief superintendent Dal Babu acknowledged the seriousness of the decision, suggesting it was based on police intelligence. The government’s Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, Darren Jones, stated that while the government is cautious about such interventions, the right to protest legally and peacefully remains a priority.
The Al Quds Day march has historically drawn calls for a ban, particularly following the recent escalation of violence in the region. The decision reflects the government’s focus on maintaining public order in the context of heightened tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
