The son of a Hamas kidnapping victim has hit out at “people celebrating my pain” as he bemoaned the scenes in cities across the UK.
Thousands have taken to the streets in shows of support for Palestine amid Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas.
Splinter groups have been spotted chanting jihad and tearing down posters of Hamas hostages during demonstrations, which Noam Sagi has condemned.
Speaking to GB News’ Lisa Hartle, Sagi says some of the scenes he has witnessed in the wake of Hamas kidnapping his 75-year-old mother has “broken his heart”.
Noam Sagi spoke to GB News' Lisa Hartle
GB NEWS
“At the same time I found my mum wasn’t found at her home, I saw people celebrating on the streets of London”, he said.
“It’s people celebrating my pain. It breaks my heart, especially in a city I love so much.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
“Live and let live is the only religion in this city and yet somehow, this is coming out.
“It brings the best and the worst of everything. I see so much love and support on one angle, but so much hate on the other.”
Sagi continued by describing the harrowing scene of witnessing posters bearing his mother’s face becoming “confetti” as protesters vented their fury.
He told GB News: “When I see my mum’s photo becoming confetti and people dancing and celebrating on it, it’s breaking a broken heart.
Police officers and protesters clash in Trafalgar Square during a March for Palestine in LondonPA“It’s very difficult. It’s also a question of education. I don’t think people shouting jihad or ‘from the river to the sea’ know what they are saying.
“What happened on 7 October was ‘from the river to the sea’. This is exactly how it looks. I don’t think it’s acceptable.
“This is Europe 2023, not Europe 1939. We need people to step up and show solidarity. It doesn’t matter if you are Christian, Muslim or Jewish, everyone should be safe.”
It comes after Number 10 confirmed there are no plans to change the law to help police crackdown on pro-Palestine demonstrators calling for “jihad” against Israel.
A Hizb ut-Tahrir protest surfaced last weekend where a member of the crowd could be heard chanting words like “jihad”.
The incident occurred at a side event that was not affiliated with a march organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, which was attended by over 100,000 people.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also called on the Government to look at “gaps in the law” to ensure stronger action.
Asked on Monday whether forces would be given more powers as a result, Rishi Sunak’s official spokesman said: “Not that I’m aware of”.