Pro-Palestine protests yesterday shouldn’t have gone ahead, Home Secretary says

Tal Ofer, a former deputy at the Board of Deputies, posted footage of the demonstration at Liverpool Street where demonstrators were seen chanting “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” while waiving a large Palestinian flag and said it was “grim to be a Jew in the UK” in a post on X.

Commenting on the arrests outside Whitehall, Mahmood told broadcaster Nick Ferarri on LBC: "people are being arrested, they will be charged".

She also urged people to reconsider taking part in planned pro-Palestine demonstrations this weekend, when, in addition to dealing with the shock of this attack, many Jews will attend vigils to mark the two-year anniversary of October 7, which falls on Tuesday. 

“To people thinking about protesting over the weekend, take a step back and think how you would feel if it was your father who had been murdered. An act of kindness to allow people to process and to grieve, I think we should show love and solidarity to those suffering. The things people want to protest about aren't going away any time soon”, she said.

Her comments come after leaders from across the political spectrum paid tribute to the victims.

The prime minister returned from a summit with European leaders to chair a Cobra meeting after the attack.

In a video, he said: “To every Jewish person in this country, I also want to say this: I know how much fear you will be holding inside of you. I really do. And so on behalf of our country, I express my solidarity, but also my sadness that you still have to live with these fears.”

Starmer, who was seen attending West London synagogue last night alongside his wife Victoria – who is Jewish – and the Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, said he promised a more visible police presence in Jewish areas.

“I promise you that over the coming days, you will see the other Britain – the Britain of compassion, of decency, of love. And I promise you that this Britain will come together to wrap our arms around your community and show you that Britain is a place where you and your family are safe, secure and belong”, he added.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, who last night visited Westminster Synagogue alongside it’s President Lord Leigh, decried the terror attack in Manchester.

“It is meant to be a day of peace and introspection. Instead, a Jewish community in Manchester is grieving whilst others are gathering under armed guard”, she said in a post on X.

“I thank both officers and community volunteers for their service, but we must also ask ourselves: what kind of country have we become, when Jews in Britain cannot worship without heavy protection?

“Terrorism is not just an attack on individuals. It is an attack on our whole community and the freedoms we hold dear. It aims to sow fear and drive division. We cannot allow it to succeed. Britain must be a place where Jewish people can live freely and proudly, as an integral part of our national life”, she added.

Reform UK’s leader Nigel Farage said he was “horrified” by the attack: “My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those affected and the Jewish community who will be suffering at this time, and my thanks go to the emergency services.”

Green Party leader Zack Polanski, who is Jewish and from Manchester, posted on X: “So many of us are feeling the horrific scenes today that all come at a time of rising Antisemitism.

“The Green Party stands with the Jewish community and everyone affected. And thanks the emergency responders for their work.”