Ministers Fear Israel-Hamas Conflict Could Trigger Extremist Activities at Home
Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, will convene an emergency Cobra meeting today to address growing concerns over an "accelerated" terror threat in the UK. The government fears that the ongoing war between Israel and terrorist organization Hamas could potentially trigger deadly extremist activities within the country.
Met Police Chief Warns of Challenging Times Ahead
Metropolitan Police Chief Sir Mark Rowley has admitted that law enforcement is facing a "particularly challenging time" due to a surge in hate crimes and civil unrest, which he says is being fueled by Iranian agents. He will meet with Home Secretary Suella Braverman at 10 Downing Street to assess the "precarious" security risks.
Concerns Over Rise in Hate Crimes
Sir Mark highlighted the significant increase in hate crimes in London, particularly targeting Jewish and Muslim communities. He revealed that antisemitism has risen by 14-fold for Jewish communities and nearly threefold for Muslim communities. The situation is further exacerbated by large-scale protests taking place amidst these security concerns.
Arrests Made in London
Since Hamas initiated the conflict by attacking Israel on October 7, nearly 100 individuals have been arrested in London. Sir Mark anticipates that there will be "many, many more arrests" this week as the police track down protestors who have breached terrorism laws.
Education Minister Promises More Information
Education Minister Rob Halfon has refrained from commenting on the level of concern the public should have regarding the situation. However, he assured that after the Cobra meeting, the government will provide the public with more information on the seriousness of the threats at hand, prioritizing the safety and security of British citizens.
Concerns Over British Nationals in Gaza Strip
Mr. Halfon also criticized Hamas for not allowing 200 British foreign nationals to leave the Gaza strip. He described this action as a form of hostage-taking and highlighted the challenges faced by Israel in dealing with Hamas. The UK government has expressed its support for Israel's right to defend itself in light of these events.
