Police launch review into possible pro-Palestine march ban in wake of Golders Green terror attack

Peter Stevens
Fri, 01 May 2026 00:37:29 +0000

Police has launched a review into a possible pro-Palestine march ban in the aftermath of the Golders Green terror attack.

Jonathan Hall, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, said the Government should consider a "moratorium" on marches after the stabbing, adding that it was "clearly impossible" for the protests to not incubate antisemitism.

Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, the Metropolitan Police's head of counter-terrorism policing, said the force was now reviewing if the demonstrations would continue.

He said: "As part of our review into the change in the threat level, police will be reviewing all events across the country.

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"My teams will be working with forces to ensure that we have appropriate protective security measures in place, that the appropriate mitigations are put in place, and we will be engaged with communities who will be affected by large events, as well as those involved in the events, so that we can keep them safe as they can be."

When asked if marches would go ahead, he said it was "part of the work the police will be reviewing".

The Stop the War coalition has planned to march on May 16 to mark "Nakba Day", which the coalition described as "the ongoing catastrophe inflicted on the Palestinian people by Israel since 1948".

The May 16 protest coincides with the Unite the Kingdom rally, set to be attended by Sharon Osbourne.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has been in discussion with police chiefs about both upcoming rallies.

Asked if she planned to stop them, she said: "These are conversations I will be having with the police over the coming days.

"We have already been discussing the particular pressures that are coming.

"We scan the horizon, what that means for policing and resourcing."

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In March, the Al-Quds day march was banned after the Home Secretary approved a request by the Met police.

Met police said there were "uniquely complex and the risks" presented by the march and a high risk of "serious public disorder".

The considerations by police come after the national threat level was raised from substantial to severe, meaning an attack is "highly likely" to occur within the next six months.

Ms Mahmood said: "As the threat level rises, I urge everyone to be vigilant as they go about their daily lives, and report any concerns they have to the police.

"And I can assure everyone that our world-class security services and the police are working day and night to keep our country safe."

On Thursday, the stabbing suspect was named as Somali translator Essa Suleiman, a man who had previously been referred to Prevent and had a history of mental illness.

Sir Keir Starmer was heckled by protesters as he visited the site of the attack with chants of "Jew harmer" and "shame on you".

Mr Hall, speaking to Times Radio, said: "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.

"It's clearly impossible at the moment for any of these pro-Palestine marches not to incubate within them some sort of antisemitic or demonising language."