Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting has issued a damning assessment of people in Britain reported to be “celebrating” Hamas’ terror attacks on Israel.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed they are ramping up patrols in London after receiving reports of people celebrating the horrifying attack which left more than 200 people dead.
Hamas sent fighters across the border and fired thousands of rockets in an “operation” on Saturday morning.
Israel’s premier Benjamin Netanyahu said the group would “pay a price that it hasn’t known until now”, adding the country will take “mighty vengeance”.
The Shadow Health Secretary has hit out at people celebrating Hamas' terror attacks
TWITTER / RACHEL RILEY / GB NEWS
In a statement on Saturday evening, Scotland Yard said it was “aware of a number of incidents, including those that have been shared on social media, in relation to the ongoing conflict in Israel and [at] the border with Gaza.
“The Met has increased policing patrols across parts of London in parts of London in order to provide a visible presence and reassurance to our communities.”
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Speaking on GB News, Wes Streeting reacted to reports suggesting people in London were “celebrating” the attacks.
He spoke on support for the Palestinian human rights cause, adding a distinction must be made or it will “set back” the prospect of peaceful negotiations.
He told Camilla Tominey: “I would say to people, who with justification are worried about Palestinian human rights, what we’re seeing on our screens not only can’t be justified, also sets back the cause of peace.
“People celebrating on the streets of London and elsewhere in the UK, where is their humanity?
A Palestinian boy reacts next to a burning Israeli vehicle that Palestinian gunmen brought to Gaza after they infiltrated areas of southern IsraelReuters“The only future for Israelis and Palestinians is a two state solution through peaceful negotiations.”
The Labour conference, currently taking place in Liverpool, will see pro-Palestine events taking place within days of the harrowing attacks.
Tominey pressed Streeting over whether he believes this is “appropriate” given the context.
“I would draw a distinction between legitimate and serious events and and the celebration of violence”, he said.
“But on this of all weeks, if you are going to show support for the Palestine cause, also condemn unequivocally the violence we are seeing perpetrated against Israelis.
“We in the Labour Party support a two state solution, we support the Palestinians right to their own state, but we also stand unequivocally with Israel and her right to defend herself.
“We would defend ourselves if this happened in our country.”
Tominey added pro-Palestine events taking place over the course of the Labour Party conference has organisers that are planning to “march on the Israel embassy”.
She pressed the Shadow Health Secretary whether Labour representatives should be “associating” themselves with such characters given the backdrop.
“The only march that should be taking place on the Israeli embassy is a march of solidarity”, he said.
“It should a march of solidarity for those families who have lost loved ones or are fighting for loved ones.”