Britons Defy Their Political Leaders To Demand Ceasefire In Gaza

Ishtiaq Ahmed

London: The’hope’ comes from seeing the estimated half a million Britons from around the UK of all backgrounds—Muslims, Christians, Jews, and those of other faiths and none faiths—converge on London in defiance of Suella to demand an immediate ceasefire and an end to the Israeli atrocities in Gaza.

It was an uplifting feeling to see humanity in action in defiance of political convenience and hypocrisy. The peace protest was a definite NO to Rishi Sunak, Suella Braverman, and Keir Starmar’s complicity in the genocide being perpetrated by Zionist Israel in Gaza.

Suella Braverman, the British Home Secretary, in her misguided attempt to pressurise the London Metropolitan police to stop the peaceful march, disingenuously claiming that it was disrespectful of the Armistice Remembrance Day also taking place in London today and around the country.

Historically, the Armistice was an agreement for the ceasing of hostilities in the First World war, a prelude to peace negotiations to end the war. It began at 11.00am on the 11^th of November 1918.

The Armistice remembrance entails a two minute silence around the United Kingdom at 11.00 am on the 11^thof November. The peace march was planned for 12.30pm well after the Armistice silence. By calling for an immediate end to the hostilities in Palestine, the peace march in fact was in line with the spirit of the Armistice agreement.

The ‘hope’ also comes from the judicious decision by the Commissioner of the London Metropolitan Police, Sir Mark Holley, not to cave into the pressure from the Home Secretary. Instead, he took the position that “The laws created by Parliament are clear. There is no absolute power to ban protest,” and the marchers had shown a “complete willingness to stay away from the Cenotaph and Whitehall and have no intention of disrupting the nation’s remembrance events”.

The Commissioner’s stance wasfurther  endorsed by Steve Hartshorn, the national chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, which represents rank and file officers, who said, “It is unacceptable to publicly attempt to tamper with the operational independence of policing”

“Policing must be free of politics. Operational independence is a key pillar of UK policing and must be respected. Policing does not comment on political manoeuvrings, and we expect to be able to carry out our duties without political interference.”

Sir Dominic Grieve, the former Attorney General, accused Suella Braverman of “stirring hatred and division”. “The Home Secretary has undermined the independence of the police and weaponized remembrance commemorations for her own political ends..” He urged the Prime Minister to depart with her.

The recent public opinion polls have shown that 70% of Britons are in favour of the ceasefire in Gaza, yet the British government, led by the likes of Rishi and Suella, continues to support Israeli atrocities in Gaza.

Earlier this morning, there were clashes between the right-wing anti-March protesters and the police, during which at least two members of the right-wing mob were arrested. The Scottish first minister, Humza Yousaf, placed the responsibility for this unprovoked violence against police firmly at the doorstep of Suella Braverman. He is of the view that the far-right has been “emboldened” by the home secretary. She has spent her week fanning the flames of division. They are now attacking the police on Armistice Day. “The Home Secretary’s position is untenable. She must resign.”

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, also tweeted, “The scenes of disorder we witnessed by the far-right at the Cenotaph are direct result of the Home Secretary’s words. The police job has been made much harder.

However, it is heartening to witness that the British public has not lost its sense of direction and love for what is right and proper.