cross-posted from: pawb.social/post/43483212

The UK’s independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, Jonathan Hall, has called for a “moratorium” on pro-Palestine marches because of recent antisemitic attacks in London.

A 45-year-old Somali-born British national was arrested on Wednesday afternoon after two Jewish men in Golders Green, aged 34 and 76, were stabbed in a London neighbourhood with a large Jewish population. Both are expected to make a full recovery.

The Metropolitan Police have said they believe the incident was connected to a separate “altercation” in south-east London a few hours beforehand.

Police said the suspect has a “history of serious violence and mental health issues” and had been referred to the Prevent counter-extremism programme in 2020.

Speaking on Times Radio after the incident, Hall said: "We are now at a point at which the government starts to need to start to take more risks as to what it’s prepared to do.

“It’s not simply enough to offer thoughts and prayers and to support the police investigation.”

Hall added: "It pains me to say this, but I think we may have reached a point where we need to have a moratorium on the sorts of marches that have been happening.

#world