Ex-UK Minister Blames Government Inaction for Rise in Antisemitism

Former UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman asserts that the British government's failure to swiftly and decisively ban mass pro-Palestinian "marches of hate" following the October 7th Hamas atrocities directly contributed to a surge in antisemitism in the UK. In an interview with "i24NEWS," Braverman criticized former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, calling him "cowardly" for refusing to support her strong stance against weekly demonstrations that have paralyzed central London for years.

Braverman stated that these marches, which have continued for three years without signs of diminishing, have led protesters to believe they have "defeated the authorities." She argues that this perceived victory has normalized antisemitism, making it "fashionable" and acceptable on the streets. She condemned the previous Conservative government for refusing to ban or intervene in these protests, which she believes resulted in Jews being murdered in the streets and fleeing the country.

In her new memoir, "Patriot: Empire, Betrayal and Hope," Braverman details her clashes with Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, who she claims showed "uncompromising resistance" to her attempts to take police action against the marches and suffered from a "blind spot" regarding public outrage. Despite her role as Home Secretary, Braverman lacked the legal authority to ban protests unilaterally, requiring a formal request from the Metropolitan Police. When Rowley refused to make such a request, she approached Sunak, believing his decisive public intervention would have been crucial.

Braverman recounts begging Sunak to clarify to Rowley his dissatisfaction with the police's failure to enforce the law at the demonstrations and his unwillingness to accept the police's complacency towards antisemitism and Islamism. However, Sunak reportedly refused to act, which Braverman attributes to his fear of political controversy. She also expressed concern that the protests began as early as October 8, 2023, even before all victims of the Hamas attack were identified or Israel had begun military action.

Braverman, who defected to the right-wing Reform UK party led by Nigel Farage, highlighted that antisemitic incidents in the UK reached their second-highest recorded number in the first half of 2026, with 1,926 incidents documented by the Community Security Trust. She also criticized the current Labour government under Keir Starmer, accusing him of taking anti-Israel actions, such as a partial arms embargo and recognition of a Palestinian state, to appease a voting bloc within his party. She further criticized Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband for meeting with Iran's Foreign Minister and current Prime Minister Andy Burnham for adopting a strong anti-Israel stance. Braverman's party, Reform UK, she states, is a "loyal and strong friend of Israel" and promises a tougher approach to law enforcement at protests and zero tolerance for extremism and Islamism if elected.