GB News presenter Jacob Rees-Mogg was embroiled in a fiery debate over pro-Palestine demonstrations that have been taking place across Britain.
It comes after Rishi Sunak reaffirmed that it is “very clear” any support for Hamas is illegal under UK law.
While protests across the country have focused more on the human rights concerns surrounding Palestinians, fears have mounted over potential shows of support for Hamas.
Marchers filled the streets of central London on Saturday as thousands also gathered in Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh and other parts of the UK.
Jacob Rees-Mogg was embroiled in a fiery clash with Novara Media's Michael Walker
GB NEWS
Demonstrators carried flags and flares and chanted pro-Palestinian slogans as marchers heard calls for world leaders to condemn Israel’s actions.
It comes as thousands of Palestinians attempted a mass exodus from northern Gaza after Israel’s military told them to evacuate before an expected ground invasion.
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Speaking on GB News, Novara Media’s Michael Walker contested Jacob Rees-Mogg over supplies to Gaza, saying there is a shortage of essential resources like water.
Rees-Mogg said it is a “proportionate response” in the bid to remove terrorists from the region.
He added that the terrorists he refers to, Walker appeared to be “advocating for”.
“In what way am I advocating for terrorists?”, Walker snapped back.
Thousands of protesters gathered in London to take part in a pro-Palestinian demonstration ahead of an expected ground invasion in GazaReutersRees-Mogg responded: “You don’t want Israel to defend herself, and you want to go on a march with people joined by people calling for Israel to be wiped off the territory it is in.”
“People have to follow the rules of law”, Walker said.
“The terrorists haven’t, they have murdered a thousand people”, said Rees-Mogg.
“And you want to march in support of those people?”
A frustrated Walker lamented the manner in which the debate panned out, branding it “ridiculous” before telling the GB News presenter that he will not converse in the discussion any longer, instead wishing to read out quotes on the matter.
Rees-Mogg finished the discussion by calling on Walker to brand Hamas terrorists.
While Walker stated that the atrocities committed by Hamas were of a terror nature, he stopped short of calling the group terrorists.
More than 1,000 officers were deployed by the Metropolitan Police before Saturday’s demonstration in the capital, with police saying in advance that anyone showing support for Hamas may face arrest.
The Met confirmed that as of 5.30pm, seven people at the demonstration had been arrested for a number of alleged offences including one person on suspicion of causing criminal damage.
“There have been small pockets of disorder; flares, bottles and fireworks have been thrown at police,” the force said in a post on social media.