Prime Minister Keir Starmer has suggested there may be grounds to ban some protests, citing concerns about the cumulative impact of repeated pro-Palestinian marches on the Jewish community. While stressing that he strongly supports the right to peaceful protest and freedom of speech, he said there are instances where stopping certain demonstrations should be considered.

His comments follow a stabbing attack on two Jewish men in north London, which police have declared a terror incident, and come amid broader concerns about rising antisemitic violence. A government-commissioned review into public order and hate crime laws has yet to be published, and calls for a temporary halt to the marches have come from the government’s independent reviewer of terrorism legislation and senior Jewish faith leaders.

Starmer said chants such as 'globalise the intifada' are dangerous to the Jewish community and should be prosecuted. Political reaction has been divided, with some parties and campaign groups warning against restricting civil liberties, while others have urged a tougher approach. Police already have powers to impose conditions or ban marches in exceptional circumstances, though such measures are rarely used.