Police patrols in London have been bolstered following the circulation of videos depicting apparent celebrations in response to the Hamas attack on Israel.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman has emphasized the expectation that law enforcement will employ the full extent of the law against demonstrations of support for Hamas.
The Metropolitan Police (Met) has announced an increased visible presence to instill confidence within communities.
Over the weekend, Palestinian militants launched a significant assault into Israel from Gaza.
In a message posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, Ms. Braverman stated, "Whenever Israel is attacked, Islamists and other racists exploit Israeli defensive measures as a pretext to foment hatred against British Jews.
"Yesterday, I spoke with CST—UK [Community Security Trust] to ensure that the government is taking all necessary steps for the protection of our Jewish communities.
"There must be zero tolerance for antisemitism or the glorification of terrorism on the streets of Britain."
Immigration minister Robert Jenrick has also called on the Met to increase patrols, citing that individuals were "glorifying the terrorist activities of Hamas."
Videos circulating on social media depict the waving of Palestinian flags, car horns honking, and applause.
Mr. Jenrick urged the police to "take this matter seriously," emphasizing that "there is no place for this in the UK."
'Striking a Balance'
In an official statement, Scotland Yard remarked, "We are aware of several incidents, including those shared on social media, related to the ongoing conflict in Israel and along the Gaza border.
"The Met has escalated policing patrols across select areas of London to provide a noticeable presence and offer reassurance to our communities.
"Anyone who encounters threatening behavior or has concerns about their safety is encouraged to contact the police.
"We will ensure that an appropriate policing strategy is in place to uphold the right to protest while minimizing disruption to Londoners." Photo by André Gustavo Stumpf from Brasil, Wikimedia commons.